Mission critical video identifier for mission critical video policies

ABSTRACT

A policy control function device receives, from a mission critical video (MCVideo) application function, a DIAMETER AA-Request (AAR) command. The DIAMETER AAR command comprise: an attribute value pair (AVP) comprising an MCVideo-identifier identifying an MCVideo service; and a quality of service (QoS) parameter indicating a QoS of the MCVideo service. A Diameter command comprising one or more QoS policies based on the MCVideo-identifier and the QoS parameter is sent to a network function.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/707,287, filed Dec. 9, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentSer. No. 16/284,213, filed Feb. 25, 2019, (now patent Ser. No.10/505,746, issued Dec. 10, 2019), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/621,183, filed Jun. 13, 2017, (now U.S.Pat. No. 10,218,520, issued Feb. 26, 2019), which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/350,083, filed Jun. 14, 2016, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of several of the various embodiments of the present inventionare described herein with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of an example communications system in whichone or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram of an example wireless transmit/receive unit(WTRU) as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of an example radio access network and corenetwork as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a base station and a wireless device as peran aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example ProSe Discovery message as per anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing an example procedure for Model Adiscovery as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for theannouncing MCPTT (mission critical push-to-talk) UE (user equipment) asper an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for monitoringan MCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure in thematched report announcing and/or monitoring as per an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for Model Bdiscovery as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for adiscoveree MCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for adiscoverer MCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for amatched report for a discoveree/discoverer as per an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an example MCPTT UE-to-network relay asper an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram showing an example IMS registration procedureof an MCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an example IMS registration of an MCPTT UEas per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an example MCPTT group session setup by anMCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an example MCPTT call setup by MCPTT UE Aas per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an example architecture of an on-networkMCPTT service as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an example architecture for MCVideo as peran aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example architecture for an on-networkMCVideo service as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of example signaling as per an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of example signaling as per an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram of example signaling as per an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 26 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments are generally directed to critical communicationservice (e.g., MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO) that may involve use ofwireless mobile telecommunication cellular and/or wireless mobilebroadband technologies. Wireless mobile broadband technologies mayinclude wireless technologies suitable for use with wireless devicesand/or user equipment (UE), such as one or more third generation (3G),fourth generation (4G) or fifth generation (5G) wireless standards,revisions, progeny and variants. Examples of wireless mobile broadbandtechnologies may include without limitation any of the Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16m and 802.16pstandards, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution(LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) standards, and International MobileTelecommunications Advanced (IMT-ADV) standards, including theirrevisions, progeny, and variants. Other suitable examples may include,without limitation, Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM)/Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technologies,Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/High Speed PacketAccess (HSPA) technologies, Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX) or the WiMAX II technologies, Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) 2000 system technologies (e.g., CDMA2000 IxRTT, CDMA2000EV-DO, CDMA EV-DV, and so forth), High Performance Radio MetropolitanArea Network (HIPERMAN) technologies as defined by the EuropeanTelecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Broadband Radio AccessNetworks (BRAN), Wireless Broadband (WiBro) technologies, GSM withGeneral Packet Radio Service (GPRS) system (GSM/GPRS) technologies, HighSpeed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technologies, High Speed OrthogonalFrequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Packet Access (HSOPA)technologies, High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) systemtechnologies, 3 GPP Rel. 8, 9, 10 or 11 of LTE/System ArchitectureEvolution (SAE), and so forth. The examples are not limited in thiscontext. In this disclosure, the term “critical” is being employed as aterm of art as disclosed, for example, in various communicationspecifications and is therefore not intended to otherwise limit thescope of the claims.

By way of example and not limitation, various examples may be describedwith specific reference to various 3 GPP radio access network (RAN)standards, such as the 3 GPP Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN), the 3 GPP Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN) and 3GPP's suite of UMTS and LTE/LTE-Advanced TechnicalSpecifications (in case of LTE/LTE-Advanced collectively “3GPP LTESpecifications” according to the 36 Series of Technical Specifications),and IEEE 802.16 standards, such as, for example, the IEEE 802.16-2009standard and current third revision to IEEE 802.16 referred to as“802.16Rev3” consolidating standards 802.16-2009, 802.16h-2010 and802.16m-201 1, and the IEEE 802.16p draft standards including IEEEP802.16.1b/D2 Jan. 2012 titled “Draft Amendment to IEEE Standard forWirelessMAN-Advanced Air Interface for Broadband Wireless AccessSystems, Enhancements to Support Machine-to-Machine Applications”(collectively “IEEE 802.16 Standards”), and any drafts, revisions orvariants of the 3 GPP LTE Specifications and the IEEE 802.16 Standards.Although some embodiments may be described as a 3GPP LTE Specificationsor IEEE 802.16 Standards system by way of example and not limitation, itmay be appreciated that other types of communications system may beimplemented as various other types of mobile broadband communicationssystems and standards. The examples are not limited in this context.

As contemplated in the present disclosure, MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEOmay support an enhanced PTT service, suitable for mission criticalscenarios and may be based upon 3GPP EPS services.MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO may typically be a session initiationprotocol (SIP) based service that may be provided via a centralizedMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server residing in a network (e.g., a 3GPPEPS network). The MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server may be an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS) application server, but theMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server may also be a non-IMS based SIPserver. User equipment (UEs) may directly attach to the network toreceive critical communication services from anMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server. Some UEs may also utilize ProximityServices (ProSe) capabilities to indirectly attach to the networkthrough a relay UE. UEs utilizing ProSe capabilities may be outside of acoverage area of the network and may be referred to as remote UEs.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 100 according tovarious embodiments. According to an embodiment, elements of system 100may be arranged for providing critical communication services to one ormore UEs (e.g. UE 130, UE 140 and UE 150). These critical communicationservices may comprise mission critical (MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO)services as specified in, for example, 3GPP technical specification (TS)22.179, entitled “Technical Specification Group Services and SystemAspects; Mission Critical (MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO) over LTE, Stage1”, Release 13, V13.0.1, published in January of 2015, and/or previousor subsequent releases or versions (hereinafter referred to as 3GPP TS22.179). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a network 101 may include anMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 that may serve as centralizedserver to enable network 101 to provide a SIP-based criticalcommunication service to UEs 130, 140 or 150. MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEOserver 120 may be arranged as, for example, an IMS application server ora non-IMS based SIP server.

According to an embodiment, access/core 190 may comprise elements ofnetwork 101 typically associated with 3GPP E-UTRAN access and 3GPPE-UTRAN core elements. For example, a UE such as UE 130 may gain accessto network 101 via Uu 117 coupled to evolved Node B (eNB) 102. Also, asshown in FIG. 1, MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 may couple tovarious access/core 190 elements. For example,MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 may couple to a policy andcharging rules function (PCRF) 111 via 111. Link 111 may represent an Rxinterface reference point. MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 mayalso couple to a serving gateway/packet data gateway (SGW/PWG) 112 viaSGi 113. SGi 113 may represent an SGi interface reference point.(According to various embodiments, an interface may comprise and/or be areference point). MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 may also coupleto a broadcast/multicast-service center (BM-SC) 114 via MB2 115. MB2 115may represent an MB2 reference point.

Mobile management entity (MME) 104 and multimedia broadcast/multicastservice gateway (MBMS GW) 106 may provide core 3 GPP E-UTRAN services toMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 and/or UEs 130, 140 and 150 tofacilitate network 101 in providing critical communication services.

According to an embodiment, UE 130 may attach directly toMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120. UE 130 may comprise anMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO client that may be arranged as a SIP-basedMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO client for communication withMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120. MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server120 may be arranged as a type of group communication service applicationserver (GCS AS) and GC1 173 may represent a GC1 reference point throughwhich MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 couples withMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO client at UE 130.

According to an embodiment, UEs out of network coverage of network 101may still be able to obtain critical communication service by couplingthrough UEs serving as UE-to-network relays such as UE 130. For example,UE 150 may be able to indirectly couple to MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEOserver 120 via a first link 151 between UE 150 and UE 130 and through asecond link (GC1 173) between UE 130 and MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEOserver 120.

According to an embodiment, UE 130 acting as an UE-to-network relay mayrelay traffic from MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 for authorizedUEs and/or authorized groups of UEs (e.g., belonging to anMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO group). UE 130 may act as an UE-to-networkrelay for groups of which it is not a member. As such, a relay UE, suchas UE 130, may comprise logic and/or features to enable the relay UE toact as a node between an MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server and a remoteUE such as UE 150 via link 151.

According to an embodiment, critical communication content may bedelivered to directly coupled UEs such as UEs 130 or 140 in either aunicast mode (e.g., via EPS bearers) and/or in multicast mode (e.g., viaevolved MBMS (eMBMS) bearers). Use of eMBMS bearers may be justified incases where a sufficient number of UEs are physically located within asame coverage area or cell. When the number of UEs in a cell is low,unicast delivery via EPS may be more efficient compared to eMBMS ormulticast delivery. MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 may compriselogic and/or features capable of monitoring the number of UEs in a celland then adjust a delivery mode accordingly.

According to an embodiment, as part of ProSe capabilities, UE 130 and UE150 may establish a direct link 151. UE 130 may couple toMCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 through GC1 173. Alternatively, UE150 may couple to MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server 120 via: (1) link151 between UE 150 and UE 130; (2) link 131 between UE 130 and UE 140;and (3) GCI 174 between UE 140 to MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO Server 120.Establishment of the direct link may comprise relay discovery, mutualauthentication and IP address assignment. Establishment of the directlink may comprise UE 130 and UE 150 setting up a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) direct connection. The WLAN direct connection may bearranged to operate according to Ethernet wireless standards (includingprogenies and variants) associated with the IEEE Standard forInformation technology-Telecommunications and information exchangebetween systems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specificrequirements Part 11: WLAN Media Access Controller (MAC) and PhysicalLayer (PHY) Specifications, published March 2012, and/or later versionsof this standard (“IEEE 802.11”). According to an embodiment, followingthe same logic as mentioned above for MCPTT/MCVIDEO/MCDATA/VIDEO server120 selecting a unicast or multicast delivery mode, logic and/orfeatures of a relay UE such as UE 130 and/or 140 may choose a unicast ormulticast delivery mode to relay information (e.g., criticalcommunication content) to one or more remote UEs such as UE 150 and/oreach other.

A direct link between UEs 140 and 130 may be established via, forexample, a PC5 interface (e.g. 131). The PC5 interface may beselectively chosen to communicate information. It may be possible to useunicast delivery via the LTE-Uu interface.

Concepts expressed herein may be implemented in connection with cellulartelephones and/or other types of User Equipment (UE) used oncommunication networks, and particularly wireless communicationnetworks. Described below are one or more example communication networksand related equipment within which at least some of the aspects of theherein described concepts may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example communications system 200 in which oneor more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The communicationssystem 200 may comprise a multiple access system configured to providecontent, such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast, etc., tomultiple wireless users. The communications system 200 may enablemultiple wireless users to access such content through the sharing ofsystem resources, including, for example, wireless bandwidth. Forexample, communications systems 200 may employ one or more channelaccess processes, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), timedivision multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), and/orthe like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communications system 200 may comprise wirelesstransmit/receive units (WTRUs) 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, a radio accessnetwork (RAN) 204, a core network 206, the Internet 210, and/or othernetworks 212. It will be appreciated that the disclosed embodimentscontemplate various numbers of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and/ornetwork elements. Each of the WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D may beconfigured to operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. Byway of example, WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D may be configured totransmit and/or receive wireless signals and may comprise user equipment(UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, acellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, alaptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, consumerelectronics, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

The communications systems 200 may also comprise a base station 214Aand/or base station 214B. Each of the base stations 214A, 214B may be atype of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one ofthe WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D to facilitate access to one or morecommunication networks, such as core network 206, Internet 210 and/ornetworks 212. By way of example, base stations 214A and/or 214B maycomprise a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a HomeNode B, a Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), awireless router, combinations thereof, and/or the like. While basestations 214A and 214B are each depicted as a single element, it will beappreciated that base stations 214A and 214B may comprise variousnumbers of interconnected base stations and/or network elements.

As illustrated, base station 214A may be a part of the RAN 204, whichmay also comprise other base stations and/or network elements (notshown), such as, for example, a base station controller (BSC), a radionetwork controller (RNC), relay nodes, combinations thereof, and/or thelike. Base station 214A and/or the base station 214B may be configuredto transmit and/or receive wireless signals within a particulargeographic region, which may be referred to as a cell (not shown). Thecell may be further divided into cell sectors. For example, the cellassociated with the base station 214A may be divided into three sectors.Thus, according to an embodiment, base station 214A may comprise threetransceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. According to anembodiment, base station 214A may employ multiple-input multiple output(MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize multiple transceivers foreach sector of the cell.

Base stations 214A and/or 214B may communicate with one or more of theWTRUs (e.g. 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D) over an air interface (e.g.216A, 216B, (216C and/or 216E), and 216D, respectively), which maycomprise a wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF),microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). An airinterface (e.g. 216A, 216B, 216C, 216D, 216E, 216F and 216G) may beestablished employing a suitable radio access technology (RAT).

More specifically, as noted above, communications system 200 maycomprise a multiple access system and may employ one or more channelaccess schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, combinationsthereof, and/or the like. For example, base station 214A in the RAN 204and WTRUs 202A, 202B, and 202C may implement a radio technology such asUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial RadioAccess (UTRA), which may establish air interface (e.g. 202A, 202B, and202C) employing wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may comprise communicationprotocols such as High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA(HSPA+). HSPA may comprise High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).

According to an embodiment, base station 214A and WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202Cmay implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess (E-UTRA), which may establish air interface (e.g. 216A, 216B, and216C, respectively) employing Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/orLTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

According to an embodiment, base station 214A and WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202Cmay implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.16 (i.e., WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1×,CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95(IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSMEDGE (GERAN), combinations thereof, and/or the like.

Base station 214B in FIG. 2 may comprise a wireless router, Home Node B,Home eNode B, or an access point, for example, and may utilize a RAT forfacilitating wireless connectivity in a localized area, such as a placeof business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, combinations thereof, and/orthe like. According to an embodiment, base station 214B and WTRUs 202C,202D may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish awireless local area network (WLAN). According to an embodiment, basestation 214B and WTRUs 202C and 202D may implement a radio technologysuch as IEEE 802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network(WPAN). According to an embodiment, base station 214B and WTRUs 202C and202D may utilize a cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE,LTE-A, etc.) to establish a picocell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 2,base station 214B may have a direct connection to the Internet 210.Thus, base station 214B may not be required to access the Internet 210via the core network 206.

The RAN 204 may be in communication with the core network 206, which maybe a type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications,and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to one or more ofthe WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D. For example, core network 206 mayprovide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services,pre-paid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc.,and/or perform high-level security functions, such as userauthentication. Although not shown in FIG. 2, it anticipated thataccording to an embodiment, RAN 204 and/or core network 206 may be indirect or indirect communication with other RANs that employ the sameRAT as the RAN 204 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to beingconnected to the RAN 204, which may utilize an E-UTRA radio technology,the core network 206 may also be in communication with another RAN (notshown).

Core network 206 may serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202Cand/or 202D to access the PSTN 208, the Internet 210 and/or othernetworks 212. The Internet 210 may comprise a global system ofinterconnected computer networks and devices that use commoncommunication protocols, such as the transmission control protocol(TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and the internet protocol (IP) inthe TCP/IP internet protocol suite. Other networks 212 may comprisewired and/or wireless communications networks owned and/or operated byother service providers. For example, the networks 212 may compriseanother core network connected to one or more RANs, which may employ thesame RAT as the RAN 204 or a different RAT.

Some or all of the WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D in thecommunications system 200 may comprise multi-mode capabilities (i.e.,the WTRUs 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D may comprise multiple transceiversfor communicating with different wireless networks over differentwireless links). For example, example WTRU 300 shown in FIG. 3 may beconfigured to communicate with base station 214A, which may employ acellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 214B, whichmay employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram of an example WTRU 300. As shown in FIG. 3,example WTRU 300 may comprise a processor 318, a transceiver 320, atransmit/receive element 322, a speaker/microphone 324, a keypad 326, adisplay/touchpad 328, non-removable memory 330, removable memory 332, apower source 334, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 336, andother peripherals 338. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 300 maycomprise a sub-combination of the foregoing elements while remainingconsistent with an embodiment. For example, an WRTU 300 embodiment maybe implemented without one or more of the dashed elements 324, 328, 336and/or 332.

The processor 318 may be a general purpose processor, a special purposeprocessor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in associationwith a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs)circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine,and the like. Processor 318 may perform signal coding, data processing,power control, input/output processing and/or other functionality thatenables example WTRU 300 to operate in a wireless environment. Processor318 may be coupled to the transceiver 320, which may be coupled to thetransmit/receive element 322. While FIG. 3 depicts elements such as, forexample, processor 318 and transceiver 320 as separate components, itwill be appreciated that the elements such as processor 318 and thetransceiver 320 may be integrated together in an electronic packageand/or chip. While FIG. 3 depicts elements such as, for example,processor 318 and transceiver 320 as individual components, it will beappreciated that the elements such as processor 318 and the transceiver320 may be implemented as a collection of other elements.

The transmit/receive element 322 may be configured to transmit signalsto, or receive signals from, a base station (e.g., the base station214A) over the air interface 316. For example, in an embodiment, thetransmit/receive element 322 may be an antenna configured to transmitand/or receive RF signals. According to an embodiment, thetransmit/receive element 322 may be an emitter/detector configured totransmit and/or receive IR, UV, or visible light signals, for example.According to an embodiment, the transmit/receive element 322 may beconfigured to transmit and receive both RF and light signals. It will beappreciated that the transmit/receive element 322 may be configured totransmit and/or receive any combination of wireless signals.

In addition, although the transmit/receive element 322 is depicted inFIG. 3 as a single element, example WTRU 300 may comprise any number oftransmit/receive elements 322. More specifically, example WTRU 300 mayemploy MIMO technology. Thus, according to an embodiment, example WTRU300 may comprise two or more transmit/receive elements 322 (e.g.,multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals overthe air interface 316.

Transceiver 320 may be configured to modulate signals that are to betransmitted by transmit/receive element 322 and to demodulate signalsreceived by transmit/receive element 322. As noted above, example WTRU300 may have multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 320 maycomprise multiple transceivers for enabling example WTRU 300 tocommunicate via multiple RATs, such as E-UTRA and IEEE 802.11, forexample.

Processor 318 of example WTRU 300 may be coupled to, and may receiveuser input data from, for example, the speaker/microphone 324, thekeypad 326 and/or the display/touchpad 328 (e.g., a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) display unit or organic light-emitting diode (OLED)display unit). Processor 318 may output user data to, for example, thespeaker/microphone 324, the keypad 326 and/or the display/touchpad 328.Processor 318 may access information from, and store data in, a type ofsuitable memory, such as the non-removable memory 330 and/or theremovable memory 332. The non-removable memory 330 may compriserandom-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, and/orother type of memory storage device. The removable memory 332 maycomprise a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, asecure digital (SD) memory card, and/or the like. According to anembodiment, processor 318 may access information from, and store datain, memory that is not physically located on example WTRU 300, such ason a server or a home computer (not shown).

Processor 318 may receive power from the power source 334, and may beconfigured to distribute and/or control the power to the othercomponents in example WTRU 300. Power source 334 may be a suitabledevice for powering example WTRU 300. For example, power source 334 maycomprise one or more dry cell batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd),nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion),etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

Processor 318 may also be coupled to GPS chipset 336, which may beconfigured to provide location information (e.g., longitude andlatitude) regarding the current location of example WTRU 300. Inaddition to, and/or in lieu of, the information from the GPS chipset336, example WTRU 300 may receive location information over the airinterface 316 from a base station (e.g., base stations 214A, 214B)and/or determine a location based on the timing of the signals beingreceived from two or more nearby base stations. It will be appreciatedthat the WTRU 300 may acquire location information by way of othersuitable location-determination process(es) while remaining consistentwith an embodiment.

Processor 318 may further be coupled to other peripherals 338, which maycomprise one or more software and/or hardware modules that provideadditional features, functionality, and/or wired or wirelessconnectivity. For example, peripherals 338 may comprise, for example, anaccelerometer, an e-compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera(for photographs or video), a universal serial bus (USB) port, avibration device, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, aBluetooth™ module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digitalmusic player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internetbrowser, a combination thereof, and/or the like.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of an example communications systemcomprising an example RAN 404 and an example core network 406. Thisexample communications system is disclosed for example purposes.Variations in communications systems may be implemented within the scopeof the embodiment. In this example embodiment, RAN 404 may employ anE-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 402A, 402B and/or402C over air interfaces 416A, 416 b and/or 416C respectively. RAN 404may be in communication with the core network 406.

Example RAN 404 may comprise eNBs 460A, 460B and/or 460C, though it willbe appreciated that the RAN 404 may comprise various numberd of eNBswhile remaining consistent with an embodiment. The eNBs 460A, 460Band/or 460C may each comprise one or more transceivers for communicatingwith the WTRUs 402A, 402B and/or 402C over air interface 416A, 416Band/or 416C respectively. In an embodiment, the eNBs 460A, 460B and/or460C may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNB 460A, for example, mayuse multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and receivewireless signals from, example WTRUs 402A.

Some WTRUs may be configured to communicate with each other directly.For example, as illustrated, WTRU 402E may be configured to communicatewith example WTRU 402B and/or example WTRU 402C over the air interfaces416F and/or 416E, respectively. Similarly, example WTRU 402D may beconfigured to communicate with example WTRU 402C over the air interfaces416D.

Each of the eNBs 460A, 460B, and/or 460C may be associated with aparticular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radioresource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of usersin the uplink and/or downlink, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, theeNBs 460A, 460B and/or 460C may communicate with one another over, forexample: an X2 interface, a reference point, and/or the like.

Example core network 406 shown in FIG. 4 may comprise a mobilitymanagement gateway (MME) 462, a serving gateway 464, a packet datanetwork (PDN) gateway 466, and/or the like. While each of the foregoingelements are depicted as part of the core network 406, it will beappreciated that various elements operating in a core network (e.g. 406)may be owned and/or operated by an entity other than the core networkoperator.

The MME 462 may be connected to each of the eNBs 460A, 460B, 460C in RAN404 via an S1 interface, a reference point, and/or the like and mayserve as a control node. For example, the MME 462 may be responsible forauthenticating users of the WTRUs 402A, 402B, 402C, 402D and/or 402E,bearer activation/deactivation, selecting a particular serving gatewayduring an initial attach of the WTRUs 402A, 402B, 402C, 402D and/or402E, and/or the like. The MME 462 may also provide a control planefunction for switching between the RAN 404 and other RANs (not shown)that employ other radio technologies, such as, for example, GSM and/orWCDMA.

Serving gateway 464 may be connected to each of the eNode Bs 460A, 460Band/or 460C in the RAN 404 via an S1 interface, a reference point,and/or the like. The serving gateway 464 may generally route and forwarduser data packets to and from the WTRUs 402 a, 402B and/or 402C. Theserving gateway 464 may also perform other functions, such as anchoringuser planes during inter-eNode B handovers, triggering paging whendownlink data is available for the WTRUs 402A, 402B and/or 402C,managing and storing contexts of the WTRUs 402A, 402B and/or 402C,and/or the like.

The serving gateway 464 may also be connected to the PDN gateway 466,which may provide the WTRUs 402 a, 402B and/or 402C with access topacket-switched networks, such as the Internet 410, to facilitatecommunications between the WTRUs 402A, 402B and/or 402C and IP-enableddevices.

Example core network 406 may facilitate communications with othernetworks. For example, core network 406 may provide the WTRUs 402A, 402Band 402C with access to circuit-switched networks to facilitatecommunications between the WTRUs 402A, 402B, 402C and traditionalland-line communications devices. For example, the core network 406 maycomprise, and/or may communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IPmultimedia subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface betweenthe core network 406 and a PSTN. In addition, the core network 406 mayprovide the WTRUs 402A, 402B, 402C with access to the networks 412,which may comprise other wired or wireless networks that are ownedand/or operated by other service providers.

FIG. 5 is an example block diagram of a base station 501 and a wirelessdevice 506, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.A communication network 500 may comprise at least one base station 501and at least one wireless device 506. The base station 501 may compriseat least one communication interface 502, at least one processor 503,and at least one set of program code instructions 505 stored innon-transitory memory 504 and executable by the at least one processor503. The wireless device 506 may comprise at least one communicationinterface 507, at least one processor 508, and at least one set ofprogram code instructions 510 stored in non-transitory memory 509 andexecutable by the at least one processor 508. Communication interface502 in base station 501 may be configured to engage in communicationwith communication interface 507 in wireless device 506 via acommunication path that comprises at least one wireless link 511.Wireless link 511 may be a bi-directional link. Communication interface507 in wireless device 506 may also be configured to engage in acommunication with communication interface 502 in base station 501. Basestation 501 and wireless device 506 may be configured to send andreceive data over wireless link 511 using multiple frequency carriers.According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, transceiver(s)may be employed. A transceiver is a device that comprises both atransmitter and receiver. Transceivers may be employed in devices suchas wireless devices, base stations, relay nodes, and/or the like.

An interface may be a hardware interface, a firmware interface, asoftware interface, and/or a combination thereof. The hardware interfacemay comprise connectors, wires, electronic devices such as drivers,amplifiers, and/or the like. A software interface may comprise codestored in a memory device to implement protocol(s), protocol layers,communication drivers, device drivers, combinations thereof, and/or thelike. A firmware interface may comprise a combination of embeddedhardware and code stored in and/or in communication with a memory deviceto implement connections, electronic device operations, protocol(s),protocol layers, communication drivers, device drivers, hardwareoperations, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

The term configured may relate to the capacity of a device whether thedevice is in an operational or non-operational state. Configured mayalso refer to specific settings in a device that effect the operationalcharacteristics of the device whether the device is in an operational ornon-operational state. In other words, the hardware, software, firmware,registers, memory values, and/or the like may be “configured” within adevice, whether the device is in an operational or nonoperational state,to provide the device with specific characteristics. Terms such as “acontrol message to cause in a device” may mean that a control messagehas parameters that may be used to configure specific characteristics inthe device, whether the device is in an operational or non-operationalstate.

According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, an LTE networkmay comprise a multitude of base stations, providing a user planePDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towardsthe wireless device. The base station(s) may be interconnected withother base station(s) (e.g. employing an X2 interface, reference point,and/or the like). The base stations may also be connected employing, forexample, an S1 interface to an EPC. For example, the base stations maybe interconnected to the MME employing the S1-MME interface, referencepoint, and/or the like and to the Serving Gateway (S-G) employing theS1-U reference point. The S1 interface, reference point, and/or the likemay support a many-to-many relation between MMEs/Serving Gateways andbase stations. A base station may comprise many sectors for example: 1,2, 3, 4, or 6 sectors. A base station may comprise many cells, forexample, ranging from 1 to 50 cells or more. A cell may be categorized,for example, as a primary cell or secondary cell. At RRC connectionestablishment/re-establishment/handover, one serving cell may providethe NAS (non-access stratum) mobility information (e.g. TAI), and at RRCconnection re-establishment/handover, one serving cell may provide thesecurity input. This cell may be referred to as the Primary Cell(PCell). In the downlink, the carrier corresponding to the PCell may bethe Downlink Primary Component Carrier (DL PCC), while in the uplink, itmay be the Uplink Primary Component Carrier (UL PCC). Depending onwireless device capabilities, Secondary Cells (SCells) may be configuredto form together with the PCell a set of serving cells. In the downlink,the carrier corresponding to an SCell may be a Downlink SecondaryComponent Carrier (DL SCC), while in the uplink, it may be an UplinkSecondary Component Carrier (UL SCC). An SCell may or may not have anuplink carrier.

A cell, comprising a downlink carrier and optionally an uplink carrier,may be assigned a physical cell ID and a cell index. A carrier (downlinkor uplink) may belong to only one cell. The cell ID or Cell index mayalso identify the downlink carrier or uplink carrier of the cell(depending on the context it is used). In the specification, cell ID maybe equally referred to a carrier ID, and cell index may be referred tocarrier index. In implementation, the physical cell ID or cell index maybe assigned to a cell. A cell ID may be determined using asynchronization signal transmitted on a downlink carrier. A cell indexmay be determined using RRC messages. For example, when thespecification refers to a first physical cell ID for a first downlinkcarrier, the specification may mean the first physical cell ID is for acell comprising the first downlink carrier. The same concept may applyto, for example, carrier activation. When the specification indicatesthat a first carrier is activated, the specification may equally meanthat the cell comprising the first carrier is activated.

Embodiments may be configured to operate as needed. The disclosedmechanism may be performed when certain criteria are met, for example,in a wireless device, a base station, a radio environment, a network, acombination of the above, and/or the like. Example criteria may bebased, at least in part, on for example, traffic load, initial systemset up, packet sizes, traffic characteristics, a combination of theabove, and/or the like. When the one or more criteria are met, variousexample embodiments may be applied. Therefore, it may be possible toimplement example embodiments that selectively implement disclosedprotocols.

A base station may communicate with a mix of wireless devices. Wirelessdevices may support multiple technologies, and/or multiple releases ofthe same technology. Wireless devices may have some specificcapability(ies) depending on its wireless device category and/orcapability(ies). A base station may comprise multiple sectors. When thisdisclosure refers to a base station communicating with a plurality ofwireless devices, this disclosure may refer to a subset of the totalwireless devices in a coverage area. This disclosure may refer to, forexample, a plurality of wireless devices of a given LTE release with agiven capability and in a given sector of the base station. Theplurality of wireless devices in this disclosure may refer to a selectedplurality of wireless devices, and/or a subset of total wireless devicesin a coverage area which perform according to disclosed methods, and/orthe like. There may be a plurality of wireless devices in a coveragearea that may not comply with the disclosed methods, for example,because those wireless devices perform based on older releases of LTEtechnology.

In order to set an MCPTT call, MCPTT UEs affiliated to MCPTT groups mayfirst discover each other. This discovery may be a restricted discoverysince MCPTT is a public safety feature. In the restricted discovery, thediscoverer UEs and discoveree UEs may be authorized by beingpre-provisioned with one or more parameters for the discovery procedure.Examples for ProSe direct discovery methods comprise Model A and ModelB.

Model A may include the following examples two roles for theProSe-enabled UEs that are participating in ProSe Direct Discovery:Announcing UE: a) The UE announces certain information that may be usedby UEs in proximity that have permission to discover. b) Monitoring UE:The UE that monitors certain information of interest in proximity ofannouncing UEs. In Model A the announcing UE may broadcast discoverymessages at discovery intervals (e.g. pre-defined intervals) and themonitoring UEs that are interested in these messages may read them andmay process them. In an example, this model may be equivalent to “I amhere” since the announcing UE may broadcast information about itselfe.g. its restricted ProSe application code in the discovery message. TheUE may act as “announcing UE” in the carrier frequency signaled by theserving PLMN when using Model A mode. The UE may act as a “monitoring”UE in the resources of the serving PLMN and Local PLMNs, when usingModel A mode. When inter-PLMN discovery transmission is supported, thecarrier frequency may be operated by a PLMN other than the serving PLMN.Open and/or restricted discovery types may be supported by Model A.

Model B, when restricted discovery type is used, includes the followingexamples two roles for the ProSe-enabled UEs that are participating inProSe Direct Discovery: a) Discoverer UE: The UE transmits a requestcontaining certain information about what it is interested to discover;and b) Discoveree UE: The UE that receives the request message mayrespond with some information related to the discoverer's request. In anexample, it is equivalent to “who is there/are you there”. Thediscoverer UE sends information about other UEs that may like to receiveresponses from, e.g. the information may be about a ProSe applicationidentity corresponding to a group and the members of the group mayrespond.

When using Model B discovery, the discoverer UE and discoveree UE mayannounce in the carrier frequency signaled by the serving PLMN. Wheninter-PLMN discovery transmission is supported, the carrier frequencymay be operated by a PLMN other than the serving PLMN. The discoverer UEand discoveree UE may be allowed to monitor in the serving PLMN andLocal PLMNs when authorized. In an example implementation, onlyrestricted discovery type may support by Model B. In an exampleapplication, the public safety discovery may be considered restricted.The monitoring UE/discoverer UE may need to have authorization (such asthrough pre-provisioned parameters) to perform discovery of theappropriate service(s). The public safety discovery may be consideredrestricted and may depend on Model A or Model B. The public safetydiscovery may use ProSe restricted code for Model A. The public safetydiscovery may use ProSe query code/ProSe response code respectively forModel B.

Code parameters may ben bits, e.g. 64 bits, and may be part of ProSeApplication Code. They may correspond to one or more restricted ProSeapplication user ID(s) (RPAUID). The ProSe application user ID may beallocated and bound to ProSe discovery UE ID (PDUID) by the ProSeapplication server.

FIG. 6 is an example of the ProSe Discovery message which is employedfor discovery procedures in Model A and Model B. In Model A, theannouncing MCPTT UE may use ProSe restricted code and if theapplication-controlled extension is used, it may use ProSe restrictedcode prefix and ProSe restricted code suffix(es) to announce itsidentity over the PC5 interface. The monitoring MCPTT UE may usediscovery filter which may be provided by the HPLMN ProSe functioncomprising the ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefixwith ProSe Restricted Code suffix pool if restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension was requested by the announcingMCPTT UE) to monitor the announcing MCPTT UE for a duration of time.

Model A may compromise a procedure for the announcing MCPTT UE and aprocedure for the monitoring MCPTT UE. It may include a matchingprocedure for the case when the monitoring MCPTT UE receives ProSerestricted code over the air that matches the discovery filter providedby the HPLMN ProSe function to the monitoring MCPTT UE in the discoveryresponse message, however the corresponding restricted ProSe applicationUE identity (RPAUID) may not have a valid validity timer.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram showing an example procedure for ModelA discovery. An example procedure for Model A discovery may includeauthorization, announcement, and monitoring.

Authorization where the MCPTT UE may get authorized for restricted ProSedirect discovery. In an example, MCPTT may be public safety and theProSe direct discovery may be restricted.

Announcement, where the announcing MCPTT UE may request for discoveryand may receive the ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted codeprefix and ProSe restricted code suffix(es) to announce itself, if theapplication-controlled extension is used). The announcing MCPTT UE mayannounce the ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefix andProSe restricted code suffix(es) to announce itself, if theapplication-controlled extension is used).

Monitoring, where the monitoring MCPTT UE may request for discovery andmay receive the ProSe Filter comprising the ProSe Restricted Code (orProSe Restricted Code Prefix and ProSe Restricted Code Suffix(es) toannounce itself, if the application-controlled extension is used). Themonitoring MCPTT UE may monitor for the ProSe restricted code (or ProSerestricted code prefix and ProSe restricted code suffix(es) to announceitself, if the application-controlled extension is used). The monitoringUE may match-report if having monitored ProSe restricted code (or ProSerestricted code prefix and ProSe restricted code suffix(es) to announceitself, if the application-controlled extension is used) withcorresponding PRAUID with no valid validity timer.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for theannouncing MCPTT UE. The procedure for the announcing MCPTT UE maycomprise the application client in the MCPTT UE retrieving the ProSediscovery UE identity (PDUID) and providing it to the ProSe applicationserver. The ProSe application server may: allocate a restricted ProSeapplication UE identity (RPAUID) for that PDUID, store the bindingbetween the PDUID and the RPAUID, and return the RPAUID to theapplication client in the MCPTT UE. The MCPTT UE may use RPAUID insteadof PDUID since MCPTT is a public safety feature. The MCPTT UE mayconstruct a discovery request message containing RPAUID, UE identity setto international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), command=announce,discovery type set to restricted discovery, application ID set to uniqueidentifier of the MCPTT application ID, discovery entry ID indicating ifthis is a new request, optional requested discovery timer set tovalidity timer associated with the expected ProSe restricted code fromthe HPLMN ProSe Function (if it is set to zero, the MCPTT UE isrequesting to remove the discovery entity ID and release the associatedresources), (if application-controlled extension is used) applicationlevel container containing the request and the relevant information,announcing type such as “on demand” for the indicated application, andthe PLMN ID of the carrier frequency in announcing PLMN ID if theserving PLMN signaled carrier frequency is not operated by HPLMN orVPLMN and if inter-PLMN ProSe discovery transmission is supported. MCPTTUE may send the discovery request message to HPLMN ProSe function. TheHPLMN ProSe function may check for authorization for the MCPTTapplication. If there is not any associated MCPTT UE context, the HPLMNProSe function may check with HSS and if needed may create a new contextfor the MCPTT UE that contains the subscription parameters for thisMCPTT UE. HSS may provide MSISDN of the MCPTT UE and PLMN ID of wherethe MCPTT UE is registered.

The HPLMN ProSe function may send an authorization request containingRPAUID and request type set to “restricted discovery/announce” towardsthe ProSe application server. The authorization request may compriseallowed number of suffixes if restricted Direct Discovery withapplication-controlled extension is used. The request type may be set to“restricted discovery with application-controlled extension/announce”.The ProSe application server may answer by an authorization responsecontaining PDUID(s) corresponding the RPAUID stored in the ProSeapplication server and response type set to “restricteddiscover/announce ack.” The authorization respond may include ProSerestricted code suffix pool with allocated suffixes by the ProSeApplication if restricted direct discovery with application-controlledextension may be used. The response type may be set to “restricteddiscovery with application-controlled extension/announce ack.” The HPLMNProSe function may assign a ProSe restricted code corresponding to theRPAUID in the discovery request and an associated validity timer whichidentifies the duration of validity of the ProSe restricted code. MCPTTUE may use this ProSe restricted code within this validity duration ifPLMN is not changed. If restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled is used, then HPLMN ProSe functions may assignProSe restricted code prefix instead of ProSe restricted code. Ifdiscovery request message indicates “on demand” announcing and the “ondemand” announcing is authorized and enabled based on application ID andoperator's policy, the HPLMN ProSe function may store RPAUID, PreSerestriced code (or ProSe restricted code prefix) with the associatedvalidity timer, and enabled indicator in the user context. “On demand”announcing may only be activated based on an ongoing monitoring request,otherwise, the following steps may not be executed.

If the Discovery request is authorized, the HPLMN ProSe Function mayconstruct announce authorization message containing RPAUID, MCPTTapplication ID, ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefixwith ProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension is used) set to assigned code forthis request, UE ID set to IMSI or mobile station identifier number(MSISDN), discovery entry ID, and validity timer. The HPLMN ProSefunction may update the existing announcing MCPTT UE's discovery entrywith the new ProSe restricted code (or the ProSe restricted code prefixwith ProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension is used) and the new validitytimer by using the MCPTT UE's corresponding discovery entry ID includedin the discovery request message. If discovery request message includeddiscovery timer set to zero for a discovery entity ID, then the HPLMNProSe function may inform the VPLMN ProSe function to remove resourcesfor that discovery entry ID by setting the timer to zero. The HPLMNProSe function may send the announce authorization message towards theVPLMN ProSe Function. The VPLMN ProSe function may acknowledge the HPLMNProSe function that it authorizes the MCPTT UE to perform restricteddiscovery announcing if the announce authorization message contain a newdiscovery entry ID. If the discovery entry ID already exists, the VPLMNProSe function may acknowledge the update as requested.

If the announcing is not “on-demand,” the HPLMN ProSe function mayconstruct a discovery respond message with ProSe restricted code (orProSe restricted code prefix with ProSe restricted code suffix pool ifrestricted direct discovery with application-controlled extension isused), validity timer, and discovery entity ID. If the announcing is“on-demand” and is authorized and enabled, the HPLMN ProSe function mayconstruct the discovery respond message with validity timer, announcingenabled indicator, and discovery entity ID. The validity timer is set tozero if it is zero in discovery request message originated by the MCPTTUE. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the discovery respond messagetowards the MCPTT UE. MCPTT UE may start announcing the provided ProSerestricted code. if restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension is used, the MCPTT UE may append aProSe restricted code suffix from the received ProSe restricted codesuffix pool to the ProSe Restricted Code Prefix to form a ProSeRestricted Code. The MCPTT UE may use different suffixes from theprovided ProSe restricted code suffix pool to form and announcedifferent ProSe restricted codes without having to contact the HPLMNProSe function as long as the validity timer permits. If “on-demand”announcing is used and the HPLMN ProSe function has not provided ProSerestricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefix with ProSe restrictedcode suffix pool if restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension is used), the MCPTT UE may need to waitfor an announcing alert request message from the HPLMN ProSe functionbefore announcing on PC5 interface.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for monitoringan MCPTT UE. The procedure for monitoring MCPTT UE comprises anapplication client in the MCPTT UE retrieving a ProSe discovery UEidentity (PDUID) and providing it to a ProSe application server. TheProSe application server may allocate a restricted ProSe application UEidentity (RPAUID) for that PDUID, may store the binding between thePDUID and the RPAUID and may return the RPAUID to the application clientin the MCPTT UE. The MCPTT UE may obtain RPAUIDs of those MCPTT targetusers from the ProSe Application Server passed in an application levelcontainer. RPAUID instead of PDUID is used since MCPTT is a publicsafety feature. In order to get the discovery filter, the monitoringMCPTT UE may construct a discovery request message comprising RPAUID setto the monitoring MCPTT UE identity, UE identity set to IMSI,command=monitor, discovery type, application ID set to unique identifierfor the application that triggered discovery procedure, applicationlevel container compromising the Target RPAUIDs that the MCPTT UE is tomonitor, discovery entry ID showing the discovery identity that it is anew discovery or an existing one, and the optional requested discoverytimer. The requested discovery timer may be set to zero to indicateHPLMN to delete the discovery filter(s) for that discovery entry ID. Theapplication level container may include some information about ProSerestricted code suffix such as group or user specific information ifdirect discovery with application-controlled extension is used. TheMCPTT UE may send the discovery request message towards HPLMN ProSefunction.

The HPLMN ProSe function may check for authorization for the MCPTTapplication. If there is not any associated MCPTT UE context, the HPLMNProSe function may check with HSS and if needed may create a new contextfor the MCPTT UE that contains the subscription parameters for thisMCPTT UE. HSS may also provide MSISDN of the MCPTT UE and PLMN ID ofwhere the MCPTT UE is registered. The HPLMN ProSe function may send anauthorization request containing RPAUID and request type set to“restricted discovery/monitor” towards the ProSe application server. Ifrestricted direct discovery with application-controlled extension isused, the request type may then be set to “restricted discovery withapplication-controlled extension/monitor”. The ProSe application serverconstructs an authorization response comprising target PDUIDs andcorresponding Target RPAUID that the RPAUID in the authorization requestmay monitor, PDUID of the requesting MCPTT UE, and response type set to“restricted discovery/monitor ack” (or to “restricted discovery withapplication-controlled extension/monitor ack” if restricted directdiscovery with application-controlled extension is used). The ProSeapplication server may send the authorization response towards the HPLMNProSe function.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a monitor request messagecomprising RPAUID of monitoring MCPTT UE, UE identity set to IMSI orMSISDN, Target PDUID and corresponding target RPAUID, application ID setto unique identifier for application that triggered the discoveryprocedure, and discovery entry ID to identify the discovery entry beingnew or an existing one. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the monitorrequest towards the target PLMN ProSe function which belongs to themonitoring MCPTT UE. If the discovery entry ID is an existing one, thetarget PLMN ProSe function may modify the existing discovery procedurewith the parameters included in the monitor request message.

The target PLMN ProSe function may retrieve the ProSe restricted code(or the ProSe restricted code prefix if the restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension is used) corresponding to thetargeted PDUID, targeted RPAUID, and application ID. If in the contextof the announcing MCPTT UE, the announcing enabled indicator is stored,the target PLMN ProSe function may construct an announcing alert requestmessage comprising RPAUID indicating which monitoring MCPTT UE isinterested in the targeted MCPTT UE announcement, application ID set tounique identifier for the application that triggered discoveryprocedure, ProSe restricted code which was retrieved from the context ofthe targeted announcing MCPTT UE (or ProSe restricted code prefix withProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension was requested by the announcing MCPTTUE), and discovery entry ID to indicate it is a new discovery entity oran existing one. The target PLMN PRoSe function may send the messagetowards the targeted MCPTT UE and upon receipt of the announce alertresponse message from that MCPTT announcing UE, the ProSe functionremoves the announcing enabled indication associated to the ProSerestricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefix with ProSe restrictedcode suffix pool if restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension was requested by the announcing MCPTTUE) from the Announcing MCPTT UE context. The MCPTT UE may now startannouncing the ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefixwith ProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension was requested by the announcingMCPTT UE).

The target ProSe function may construct an authorization request messagecomprising RPAUID set to that of the monitoring MCPTT UE, Request Typeset to “restricted discovery/permission”, and target RPAUID set to thatof the announcing MCPTT UE. The target ProSe function may send theauthorization request message towards the ProSe application server.

The ProSe application server may acknowledge the target ProSe functionby constructing an authorization response message comprising PDUID ofthe announcing MCPTT UE which is to be monitored and response type setto “restricted discovery/permission ack” and by sending it towards thetarget PLMN ProSe function.

The target ProSe function constructs a monitor response messagecompromising ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefix withProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension was requested by the announcing MCPTTUE) and the corresponding validity timer. The target ProSe function maysend the monitor response message towards the HPLMN ProSe function.

From the ProSe application server, the HPLMN ProSe function has nowretrieved the ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefixwith ProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension was requested by the announcingMCPTT UE) and the corresponding validity timer for each pair of targetPDUID-target RPAUID bound with application ID and stored as the usercontent of the monitoring MCPTT UE. The HPLMN ProSe function based onthe ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefix with ProSerestricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension was requested by the announcing MCPTTUE) and the corresponding validity timer, allocates a discovery filterwith corresponding time-to-live (TTL).

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a discovery response messagecomprising target RPAUID(s) and the corresponding discovery filter(s)that comprises ProSe restricted code (or ProSe restricted code prefixwith ProSe restricted code suffix pool if restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension was requested by the announcingMCPTT UE) to be monitored and the corresponding TTL showing how long thefilter is valid. If the requested discovery timer in discovery requestmessage sent by MCPTT monitoring UE was set to zero, the TTL in thediscovery response message is set to zero. The discovery responsemessage also comprises discovery entry ID to identify the discoveryentity. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the discovery response messagetowards the monitoring MCPTT UE. The MCPTT UE may use the discoveryfilter to monitor the announcing MCPTT UE.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram showing procedure for match reportannouncing and/or monitoring. The procedure for match report forannouncing/monitoring is if the monitoring MCPTT UE has over the airreceived a ProSe restricted code (or the ProSe restricted code prefixand the ProSe restricted code suffix if the restricted direct discoverywith application-controlled extension is used) is matching the discoveryfilter obtained in the discovery response message from the HPLMN ProSefunction but the announcing MCPTT UE does not have an RPAUID with avalid TTL, the monitoring MCPTT UE may construct a match report messagecomprising its own RPAUID, its IMSI or MSISDN as UE identity, discoverytype set to “restricted discovery”, application ID set to uniqueidentifier for the application that triggered the monitoring request,the over the air received ProSe restricted code, optional metadatarequested, and announcing PLMN ID of the PLMN where the announcing MCPTTUE was monitored. The monitoring MCPTT UE transmits the match reportmessage towards the HPLMN ProSe function.

The HPLMN ProSe function may verify if the monitoring MCPTT UE mayperform restricted discovery and may analyze ProSe restricted code (orthe ProSe restricted code prefix and the ProSe restricted code suffix ifthe restricted direct discovery with application-controlled extension isused). The HPLMN ProSe function may identify the announcing MCPTT UE'sRPAUID in the context of the monitoring MCPTT UE.

If metadata requested was included to the originated match reportmessage by the monitoring MCPTT UE, the HPLMN ProSe function may locatethe ProSe application server from the application ID and may constructan authorization request message comprising monitoring MCPTT UE'sRPAUID, announcing MCPTT UE's RPAUID, and request type set to“restricted discovery/match”. The HPLMN ProSe function may send theauthorization request message towards the ProSe application server. Thisstep is optional if metadata requested was not included into theoriginal match report message.

The ProSe application server may construct an authorization responsecomprising monitoring MCPTT UE's PDUID, announcing MCPTT UE's PDUID,response type set to “restricted discovery/match ack”, and metadatacorresponding to the Announcing MCPTT UE.

The HPLMN ProSe function may verify that the PDUID belongs to themonitoring MCPTT UE and the announcing MCPTT UE's PDUID are the same asthe announcing MCPTT UE's PDUID that is stored in the context of theMonitoring MCPTT UE.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a match report ack comprisingapplication ID set to unique identifier for the application thattriggered the monitoring request, announcing MCPTT UE's RPAUID, validitytimer, and optionally meta data.

The monitoring MCPTT UE may store the mapping between the ProSerestricted code (or the ProSe restricted code prefix and the ProSerestricted code suffix if the restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension is used), announcing MCPTT UE's PRAUID,the application ID unique identifier of the application that triggeredthe monitoring procedure, and the related validity timer.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a Mach Report Info messagecomprising Monitoring MCPTT UE's RPAUID, announcing MCPTT UE's RPAUID,announcing MCPTT UE's identity set to IMSI or MSISDN for chargingpurposes, ProSe restricted code (or the ProSe restricted code prefix andthe ProSe restricted code suffix if the restricted direct discovery withapplication-controlled extension is used), and discovery type set to“restricted discovery”. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the matchreport info message towards the announcing MCPTT UE's PLMN ProSefunction and the ProSe function of the PLMN where the announcing MCPTTUE may be roaming in.

In Model B, the discoverer MCPTT UE may use ProSe query code to find thediscoveree MCPTT UE. The discoveree MCPTT UE may use ProSe response codeto identify itself. The ProSe response code is sent by the discovereeMCPTT UE over the air upon receiving a ProSe query code matching anydiscovery query filter(s). The discoverer MCPTT UE discovers then thediscoveree MCPTT UE by matching the ProSe response code to any discoveryresponse filter(s). The ProSe query code, and the discovery responsefilter(s) are allocated by HPLMN ProSe function to the discoverer MCPTTUE. The ProSe response code and discovery query filter(s) are allocatedby the HPLMN ProSe function to the discoveree MCPTT UE.

Model B compromises procedure for the discoveree MCPTT UE and procedurefor the discoverer MCPTT UE procedure. It may include matching procedurefor the case when the discoverer MCPTT UE receives ProSe response codeover the air that matches the discovery filter provided by the HPLMNProSe function to the discoveree MCPTT UE in the discovery responsemessage, however the corresponding RPAUID does not have valid validitytimer. Model B may be for restricted discovery.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for Model Bdiscovery. The procedure for Model B discovery comprises authorization,discoveree procedure, and discoverer procedure.

Authorization, where the MCPTT UE may get authorized for restrictedProSe direct discovery. In an example, MCPTT may be public safety andthe ProSe direct discovery may be restricted.

Discoveree procedure, where the discoveree MCPTT UE may request fordiscovery and may receive the ProSe response code and associateddiscovery query filter(s). The discoveree MCPTT UE may employ thediscovery filter(s) to monitor ProSe query code on PC5. The discovereeMCPTT UE may announce the ProSe response code if receiving a ProSe querycode over the air which matches any of discovery filter(s).

Discoverer procedure, where the discoverer MCPTT UE may request fordiscovery and may receive the ProSe query code and associated discoveryresponse filter(s). The discoverer MCPTT UE may announce the ProSe querycode on PC5 interface. The discoverer MCPTT UE may monitor ProSeresponse code on PC5 interface that may match any of the discoveryresponse filter(s). The discoverer UE may match-report if havingdiscovered ProSe response code with corresponding PRAUID with no validvalidity timer. The discoveree, discoverer, and match-report proceduresare explained below.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example procedure for adiscoveree MCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention. The procedure for discoveree MCPTT UE is that he applicationclient in the MCPTT UE may retrieve the ProSe discovery UE identity(PDUID) and may provide it to the ProSe application server. The ProSeapplication server may allocate a restricted ProSe application UEidentity (RPAUID) for that PDUID, may store the binding between thePDUID and the RPAUID and may return the RPAUID to the application clientin the MCPTT UE. The application client in the MCPTT UE may store thebinding between the RPAUID and its own PDUID and may use those RPAUID toperform discoveree request procedure.

The discoveree MCPTT UE may establish connection to HPLMN ProSe functionand may construct a discovery request message comprising RPAUID set towhat the MCPTT UE will announce, UE identity set to IMSI, commandindicating this is for discoveree UE, discovery type set to “restricteddiscovery”, discovery model indicating Model B, application ID set tounique identifier for the application that triggered discoveryprocedure, discovery entry ID showing the discovery identity that it isa new discovery or an existing one, and PLMN ID of the carrier frequencyin announcing PLMN ID if the serving PLMN signaled carrier frequency isnot operated by HPLMN or VPLMN and if inter-PLMN ProSe discoverytransmission is supported. MCPTT UE may send the discovery requestmessage to HPLMN ProSe function.

HPLMN ProSe function may check for authorization for the MCPTTapplication. If there is not any associated MCPTT UE context, the HPLMNProSe function may check with HSS and if needed may create a new contextfor the MCPTT UE that contains the subscription parameters for thisMCPTT UE. HSS may provide MSISDN of the MCPTT UE and PLMN ID of wherethe MCPTT UE is registered.

The HPLMN ProSe function may locate the ProSe application server basedon the application ID in the discovery request message and may send anauthorization request containing RPAUID and request type set to“restricted discovery/response” towards the ProSe application server.

The ProSe application server may answer by an authorization responsecontaining PDUID(s) corresponding the RPAUID stored in the ProSeapplication server and response type set to “restricteddiscover/response ack”.

The HPLMN ProSe function may verify that at least of one of the PDUID(s)may belong to the discovree MCPTT UE. The HPLMN ProSe function mayassign a ProSe response code and ProSe query code with the associateddiscovery query filter(s). The ProSe response code corresponds to theRPAUID in the discovery request and the HPLMN ProSe function may assignan associated validity timer for the ProSe response code and ProSe querycode with the associated discovery query filter(s). The validity timeridentifies the duration of validity of the ProSe response code and ProSequery code with the associated discovery query filter(s). The discovereeMCPTT UE may use this ProSe response code within this validity durationif PLMN is not changed. The HPLMN ProSe function may store ProSeresponse code with its associated validity timer and ProSe query codewith associated discovery query filter(s) in the context of the MCPTTuser.

If the discovery request is authorized, HPLMN ProSe function mayconstruct announce authorization message containing RPAUID, MCPTTapplication ID, ProSe response set to assigned code for this request, UEID set to IMSI or MSISDN, discovery entry ID to identify the discoveryentry, and validity timer indicating how long the ProSe response codewill be valid. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the announceauthorization message towards the VPLMN ProSe function.

The VPLMN ProSe function may acknowledge the HPLMN ProSe function thatit authorizes the MCPTT UE to perform restricted discovery announcing ifthe announce authorization message contain a new discovery entry ID. Ifthe discovery entry ID already exists, the VPLMN ProSe function mayacknowledge the update as requested i.e. updating the discoveree MCPTTUE's discovery entry by the new ProSe response code and its associatedvalidity timer.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a discovery response message withdiscovery type set to Model B, ProSe response code, discovery queryfilter(s) suited for certain ProSe Query code, validity timer associatedto ProSe response code and the discovery query filter(s), and discoveryentity ID to identify the discovery identity. The MCPTT discoveree UEmay use the discovery query filter(s) (which may be multiple) todetermine which ProSe query code triggers that the MCPTT discoveree UEannounces the assigned ProSe response code. The HPLMN ProSe function maysend the discovery response message towards MCPTT discoveree UE.

The MCPTT discoveree UE may use the discovery query filter(s) which manybe multiple to determine which ProSe query code triggers that the MCPTTdiscoveree UE announces the assigned ProSe response code. If thevalidity timer expires, the MCPTT discoveree ue may send a new discoveryrequest message towards the HPLMN ProSe function.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example flow diagram showing the procedure fordiscoverer MCPTT UE. The procedure for the discoverer MCPTT UE comprisesan application client in the MCPTT UE retrieving a ProSe discovery UEidentity (PDUID) and providing it to the ProSe application server. TheProSe application server allocates a restricted ProSe application UEidentity (RPAUID) for that PDUID, may store the binding between thePDUID and the RPAUID and may return the RPAUID to the application clientin the MCPTT UE. The MCPTT UE may obtain RPAUIDs of those MCPTT targetusers from the ProSe application server passed in an application levelcontainer. RPAUID instead of PDUID may be used for public safety featureMCPTT.

The discoverer MCPTT UE may establish connection to the MPLMN ProSefunction and may construct a discovery request message comprising RPAUIDset to what the discoverer MCPTT UE wants to announce, UE identity setto IMSI, command showing this is for ProSe query procedure, discoverytype set to “restricted discover”, discovery model set to Model B,application ID set to unique identifier for the application thattriggered discovery procedure, application level container compromisingthe target RPAUIDs that the MCPTT UE is to discover, discovery entry IDshowing the discovery identity that it is a new discovery or an existingone, and the optional requested discovery timer. The requested discoverytimer is set to zero to indicate HPLMN to delete the discovery filter(s)for that discovery entry ID. The MCPTT UE may send the discovery requestmessage towards HPLMN ProSe Function.

HPLMN ProSe function may check for authorization for the MCPTTapplication. If there is not any associated MCPTT UE context, the HPLMNProSe function may check with HSS and if needed may create a new contextfor the MCPTT UE that contains the subscription parameters for thisMCPTT UE. HSS may provide MSISDN of the MCPTT UE and PLMN ID of wherethe MCPTT UE is registered.

The HPLMN ProSe function may locate the ProSe application server basedon the application ID in the discovery request message and may send anauthorization request containing RPAUID, request type set to “restricteddiscovery/query”, and application level container towards the ProSeapplication server.

The ProSe application server may construct an authorization responsecomprising target PDUIDs and corresponding target RPAUID that the RPAUIDin the authorization request may discover, PDUID of the requesting MCPTTUE, and response type set to “restricted discovery/query ack”. The ProSeapplication server may send the authorization response towards the HPLMNProSe function.

The HPLMN ProSe function may allocate the context for the discovereeUE(s) if the PLMN ID in the target PDUID-target RPAUID corresponds to avalid ProSe response code. The HPLMN ProSe function may allocate thediscovery response filter(s) which trigger the MCPTT discoveree UE totransmit the ProSe response code. This procedure has expiration timewhich is specified by validity timer.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a discovery request messagecomprising RPAUID of discoveree MCPTT UE, UE identity set to IMSI orMSISDN, target PDUID and corresponding target RPAUID, application ID setto unique identifier for application that triggered the discoveryprocedure, and discovery entry ID to identify the discovery entry beingnew or an existing one. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the discoveryrequest towards the target PLMN ProSe Function which belongs to thediscoveree MCPTT UE. If the discovery entry ID is an existing one, theTarget PLMN ProSe function may modify the existing discovery procedurewith the parameters included in the discovery request message.

The target ProSe Function has an option to construct an authorizationrequest message comprising RPAUID set to that of the discoverer MCPTTUE, Request Type set to “restricted discovery/query”, and target RPAUIDset to that of the discoveree MCPTT UE. The target ProSe function maysend the authorization request message towards the ProSe applicationserver.

The ProSe application server may acknowledge the target ProSe functionby constructing an authorization response message comprising PDUID ofthe discovery MCPTT UE, response type set to “restricted discovery/queryack”, and target PDUID of the discoveree MCPTT UE. The ProSe applicationserver may send the authorization response message towards the targetPLMN ProSe function.

The target PLMN ProSe function may allocate the context of thediscoveree MCPTT UE based on target PDUEID-target RPAUID and theapplication ID. The target PLMN ProSe function may respond with adiscovery response comprising ProSe query code which will be used byHPLMN ProSe function to build the discovery query filter so that ittriggers the discoveree UE to send ProSe Response code, the actual ProSeresponse code, and validity timer to indicate for how long the ProSeQuery code and ProSe response code are valid.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct an announce authorization messagecomprising RPAUID of the discovery MCPTT UE, application ID, ProSe querycode and its associated validity timer, UE identity set to IMSI orMSISDN of discovery MCPTT UE for charging purposes in the visitingdomain, and discovery entry ID to identify the discovery entry. TheHPLMN ProSe function may send the announce authorization message towardsthe VPLMN ProSe function.

The VPLMN may acknowledge that it authorizes the discovery MCPTT UE toperform ProSe direct discovery procedure. If the discovery entry ID inthe announce authorization message corresponded an already discoveryentry, the VPLMN ProSe function may acknowledge the replacement of theexisting ProSe query code and its associated validity timer.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct the discovery response messagecomprising discovery model set to Model B, ProSe query code, one ormultiple discovery response filters which are generated by the HPLMNProSe function based on ProSe response code, and validity timer for howlong the ProSe query code and discovery response filter(s) are valid.The HPLMN ProSe Function may transmit the Discovery Response message tothe Discoverer MCPTT UE.

The discoverer MCPTT UE may obtain the information from the discoveryresponse message to discover discoveree MCPTT UE. If the validity timeris expired, the discoverer MCPTT UE may send a new discovery requestmessage towards the HPLMN ProSe function.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example flow diagram showing the procedures for amatched report for discoveree/discoverer. The procedure for a matchreport for a discoveree/discoverer comprises if the discoverer MCPTT UEmay have received over the air a ProSe response code is matching thediscovery response filter obtained in the discovery response messagefrom the HPLMN ProSe function but the discoveree MCPTT UE does not havean RPAUID with a valid TTL, the discoverer MCPTT UE may construct amatch report message comprising its own RPAUID, its IMSI or MSISDN as UEIdentity, discovery type set to “restricted discovery”, application IDset to unique identifier for the application that triggered themonitoring request, the over the air received ProSe response code,optional metadata requested, and discoveree PLMN ID of the PLMN wherethe discoveree MCPTT UE was discovered. The discovere MCPTT UE maytransmit the match report message towards the HPLMN ProSe Function.

The HPLMN ProSe function may verify if the discoverer MCPTT UE hasperformed restricted discovery and may analyze Prose response code. TheHPLMN ProSe function may identify the discoveree MCPTT UE's RPAUID inthe context of the discoverer MCPTT UE.

If metadata requested was included to the originated match reportmessage by the discoverer MCPTT UE, the HPLMN ProSe function may locatethe ProSe application server from the application ID and may constructan authorization request message comprising discoverer MCPTT UE'sRPAUID, discoveree MCPTT UE's RPAUID, and request type set to“restricted discovery/match”. The HPLMN ProSe function may send theauthorization request message towards the ProSe application server. Thisstep is optional if metadata requested was not included into theoriginal match report message.

The ProSe application server may construct an authorization responsecomprising discoverer MCPTT UE's PDUID, discoveree MCPTT UE's PDUID,response type set to “restricted discovery/match ack”, and metadatacorresponding to the discoveree MCPTT UE.

The HPLMN ProSe function may verify that the PDUID belongs to thediscoverer MCPTT UE and the discoveree MCPTT UE's PDUID are the same asthe discoveree MCPTT UE's PDUID that is stored in the context of thediscoverer MCPTT UE.

The HPLMN ProSe function may construct a match report ack comprisingapplication ID set to unique identifier for the application thattriggered the discovery request, discoveree MCPTT UE's RPAUID, validitytimer, and optionally meta data.

The discoverer MCPTT UE may store the mapping between the ProSe responsecode, discoveree MCPTT UE's PRAUID, the application ID unique identifierof the application that triggered the discovery procedure, and therelated validity timer.

The HPLMN ProSe Function may construct a mach report info messagecomprising discoverer MCPTT UE's RPAUID, discoveree MCPTT UE's RPAUID,discoveree MCPTT UE's Identity set to IMSI or MSISDN for chargingpurposes, ProSe response code, and discovery type set to “restricteddiscovery”. The HPLMN ProSe function may send the match report infomessage towards the discoveree MCPTT UE's PLMN ProSe function and theProSe function of the PLMN where the discoveree MCPTT UE may be roamingin.

A public safety ProSe (MCPTT) UE may provide the functionality tosupport connectivity to the network for a remote MCPTT UE. An MCPTT UEis considered to be remote if it has established a successful PC5 linkconnection to a UE-to-Network relay. A remote MCPTT UE may be out ofE-UTRAN coverage. An MCPTT UE may be within a coverage of E-UTRAN andmay choose not to use E-UTRAN coverage. At the time of discovery ProSerelay service codes for MCPTT services in the MCPTT UE-to-Network relayare recognized by the remote MCPTT UE to identify the MCPTTUE-to-Network relay. Relay service codes are pre-provisioned in theMCPTT UE-to-Network relay and the remote MCPTT UE and are communicatedby discovery announcement message for Model A ProSe discovery and bydiscovery solicitation message/discovery response message for Model BProSe discovery.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an example MCPTT UE-to-network relay asper an aspect of an embodiment. The remote MCPTT UE may employ the MCPTTUE-to-Network relay to access E-UTRAN and thereby performing IMSregistration and also MCPTT call establishment.

The MCPTT UE-to-Network relay may function as a relay for unicasttraffic between remote UE and the network by relaying any IP traffic tothe UE. The MCPTT UE-to-Network relay may function as a relay formulticast broadband multicast service (MBMS) traffic using one ProSeDirect Communication.

In this context, the MCPTT UE may be represented by a remote MCPTT UEand a UE-to-Network MCPTT UE which have PC5 interface to each other.This may be transparent to the E-UTRAN network and/or IMS network.

To set up an on-network MCPTT call, the MCPTT UEs may register with IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. At the time of registration to theIMS network, an MCPTT UE may include its supported IMS communicationservice identifier (ICSI) values for the IMS communication services itintends to use. The MCPTT UE may register its supported IMS applicationreference identifier (IARI) values for the IMS applications it intendsto use at the time of IMS registration as described here. The UE mayinclude supported ICSI values in a g.3gpp.icsi-ref media feature tag forthe IMS communication services it intends to use, and IARI values, forthe IMS applications it intends to use in a g.3gpp.iari-ref mediafeature tag. The UE may include the media feature tags for supportedstreaming media types.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram showing IMS registration of an MCPTTUE. MCPTT UE may send a SIP REGISTER request containing MCPTT featuretag in contact header field towards the P-CSCF in the visiting network;P-CSCF may use the MCPTT UE's ID to locate the I-CSCF in the homenetwork by DNS query; I-CSCF in the home network may select suitableS-CSCF with help of HSS; S-CSCF may challenge the registration byrequesting an authentication. If the authentication information is notvalid, S-CSCF may get it from HSS; MCPTT UE may provide authenticationresponse and may send the SIP REGISTER request containing authenticationresponse and the MCPTT feature tag in the contact header towards theP-CSCF in the visiting network; P-CSCF may use the MCPTT UE's ID tolocate the I-CSCF in the home network by DNS query; I-CSCF in the homenetwork may select suitable S-CSCF with help of HSS; S-CSCF mayauthenticate the MCPTT UE and may send registration notification to theHSS and may receive the MCPTT user profile from the HSS; The MCPTT userprofile may be used for the 3rd party register to the MCPTT applicationserver (AS); and S-CSCF may respond to OK to the MCPTT UE.

Existing MCPTT calls may include audio. The existing MCPTT does notsupport various enhanced call capabilities. There is a need to enhanceMCPTT signaling to support advanced call capabilities. In an exampleembodiment, enhanced MCPTT calls may include capabilities such as audio,video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/or administering. To avoid orreduce any possible compatibility issues, new service or applicationidentifiers may be implemented for the additional capabilities. Anexample embodiment, enhances ICSI to indicate different capabilities forMCPTT e.g. audio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/oradministering capabilities. One or more IMS service parameters becommunicated during the registration process to indicate at least oneMCPTT capability to a network server, e.g. a proxy server, a registrarserver.

The wireless device registers one or more IMS communication serviceidentifiers (ICSIs) of push-to-talk (e.g. mission critical PTT) in awireless network. one of the one or more ICSIs indicates at least one ofaudio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/or administeringcapabilities of the wireless device. ICSI may be in the form of a mediafeature tag. A feature tag may indicate one or more capability of thewireless device. For, example a specific feature tag, such as3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttvideo may indicate video capability. This isan example, other features tag names may be used. One or more ICSI mayindicate a combination of at least two of audio, video, data, fullduplex, dispatching, and/or administering capabilities of the wirelessdevice. For example, a feature tag 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttmedia, mayindicate capability for both audio and video.

In another example, one or more additional parameters may be included inthe registration message along with a feature tag to indicate thewireless device capability or a combination of one or more capabilitiesof the wireless device.

In an implementation, the wireless device may transmit the registrationmessage to a UE relay which relays to message to a network node. Thewireless device may discover the UE relay using discovery model A ormodel B. In an example, the UE relay may decode the registration messageand may update the message headers before retransmitting the message.The UE relay may update the source and destination address in theregistration message.

In an example, the registration message may further register one or moreIMS application reference identifiers (IARIs). One of the one or moreIARIs may indicate at least one of audio, video, data, full duplex,dispatching, and/or administering capabilities of the wireless device.IARI may be in the form of a media feature tag. A feature tag mayindicate one or more capability of the wireless device. For, example aspecific feature tag, such as 3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttvideo mayindicate video capability. This is an example, other features tag namesmay be used. One or more IARI may indicate a combination of at least twoof audio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/or administeringcapabilities of the wireless device. For example, a feature tag3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttmedia, may indicate capability for bothaudio and video.

In an example embodiment, the wireless device may register one or moreIMS application reference identifiers (IARIs) of push-to-talk in awireless network. One of the one or more IARIs indicates at least one ofaudio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/or administeringcapabilities of the wireless device. In an example, the one or moreIARIs may indicate a combination of at least two of audio, video, data,full duplex, dispatching, and/or administering capabilities of thewireless device. The wireless device may further registering one or moreIMS communication service identifiers (ICSIs. One of the one or moreICSIs indicates at least one of video and data capabilities of thewireless device.

In an example, the wireless device may register one or more IMS serviceparameters of push-to-talk in a wireless network. The one or more IMSservice parameters may indicate a combination of at least two of audio,video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/or administering capabilitiesof the wireless device. The one or more IMS service parameters indicateat least one of audio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and/oradministering capabilities of the wireless device.

In an example, the embodiments may include enhanced service identifiersrepresenting new services such as 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttaudio;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttvideo; 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdata;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdispatcher; and3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttadminiter.

In an example, the embodiments may include enhanced applicationidentifiers that represent applications for the MCPTT service3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcptt; 3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttaudio;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttvideo;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdata;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdispatcher; and3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttadminister.

Release 13 of MCPTT supports audio with service identifier3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcptt. In an example embodiment, in order tomaintain interoperability with release 13, release 14 may create threeenhanced service identifiers for MCPTT, MCPTT video, and MCPTT data,such as 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdefault;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttvideo; 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdata;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdispatcher; and3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttadminister.

In an example, two enhanced application identifier for MCPTT video andMCPTT data and a service identifier for default MCPTT may be employed3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdefault;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttvideo;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdata;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdatadispatcher; and3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttadminister.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an example IMS registration of an MCPTT UEas per an aspect of an embodiment. The MCPTT UE may include the MCPTTrelated ICSI and IARI which it may intent to use to its contact headerfield of the register message when registering to the IMS network; IMSnetwork may locate the most suitable S-CSCF for this registration andmay forward the registration request to that S-CSCF; S-CSCF maychallenge the MCPTT UE by sending authentication request to the UE;MCPTT UE may respond to the authentication request; and S-CSCF 3rd partmay register the UE to the MCPTT AS.

A wireless device may register one or more IMS communication serviceidentifiers (ICSIs) of push-to-talk in a wireless network. one of theone or more ICSIs may indicate at least one of video and datacapabilities of the wireless device.

3GPP has defined mission critical push to talk (MCPTT) for release 13 tobe limited to audio calls for MCPTT group calls and MCPTT private calls,however in release 14 the MCPTT group calls and MCPTT private calls willalso include new capabilities i.e. video and data. For release 14, 3GPPWG SA1's current plan is to modify the requirement specification forMCPTT, 3GPP TS 22.179 by removing all audio related requirements andonly keeping the generic requirements for MCPTT. Release 14 will alsohave new specifications for MCPTT audio group and private calls, MCPTTvideo group and private calls, and MCPTT data group and private calls.These new capabilities may result in compatibility issue at the time ofsession setup if the UEs are from different release or from the samerelease but having different capabilities. Thus, new methods disclosedhere may avoid any incompatibility.

In some example cases, network (e.g. the registrar or applicationservers, and/or third party application servers, and/or other networkenetities) may need to know the MCPTT UE's capabilities in terms ofsupported services and applications.

A network node may transmit a request to a registrar and/or network nodestoring MCPTT UE capability and request for MCPTT UE capabilities. Thenetwork node may transmit a response message to the requester (directlyor indirectly) indicating the MCPTT UE capabilities of the UE. Thenetwork nodes may communicate (transmit/receive) the MCPTT user'scapabilities by exchanging SIP message(s) (e.g. INVITE, MESSAGE).

The network node may transmit a SIP message (e.g. SIP INVITE request) tothe UE to set up a session to stream a video clip to the MCPTT UE. Thus,the network may need to know if the MCPTT UE has the capability toreceive it.

The network node may transmit a SIP message (e.g. SIP MESSAGE request)to the UE to set up a session to send information about multicast bearerand the related ports for media reception. Thus, the network may need toknow about the MCPTT UE's capabilities to receive the multicast media.

A third-party entity may like to get a MCPTT UE's capabilities from theoperator's network where MCPTT UE has registered to, in order to e.g.provide a service or application. A third-party entity may transmit aSIP message (e.g. SIP INVITE request) to the UE to set up a session.Therefore, the network must know the MCPTT UE's capabilities to providethis information to the third-party entity.

The UE may response to the SIP message. The network/third party maysubsequently start communicating and transmitting/receiving data, audio,and/or video to/from the MCPTT UE.

Once the MCPTT UEs are all registered to the IMS network and if an MCPTTUE may like to establish an MCPTT call, the MCPTT UE may include all itssupported ICSI values for the IMS communication services it may intendto use to all other SIP methods than the SIP REGISTER method. The MCPTTUE may include all its supported IARI values for the IMS applications itmay intend to use to those methods.

If this is a request for a new dialog, the Contact header field may bepopulated as a contact header value which may be a public GRUU value, atemporary GRUU value, or SIP URI containing the contact address of theMCPTT UE; an “ob” SIP URI parameter; an ICSI that the MCPTT UE mayinclude in a g.3gpp.icsi-ref media feature tag; and an IARI that theMCPTT UE may include in a g.3gpp.iari-ref media feature tag.

When MCPTT UE receives ICSI values corresponding to the IMScommunication services that the network provides to the user, if theMCPTT UE constructs a request for a new dialog or standalone transactionand the request is related to one of the ICSI values, the MCPTT UE maypopulate a P-Preferred-Service header field with one of the ICSI values.

In construction of the same request for a new dialog and standalonetransaction, the MCPTT UE may populate an Accept-Contact header fieldcomprising an ICSI value which may differ from the one added toP-Preferred-Service header field. In construction of a request for a newdialog or standalone transaction, the MCPTT UE may populate anAccept-Contact header field comprising an IARI value if an IMSapplication indicates that an IARI is to be included in a request

The MCPTT UE may modify the established dialog capabilities by e.g.adding a media or requesting a supplementary service if the modificationis defined for the IMS communication service. If the modification is notdefined for that IMS communication service, the MCPTT UE may initiate anew dialog.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an example MCPTT group session setup by anMCPTT UE as per an aspect of an embodiment. MCPTT UE 1 may initiate anMCPTT group call with MCPTT UE 2 and MCPTT UE 3 by sending an SIP INVITErequest which may comprise MCPTT feature tag in Contact header field.The Accept-Contact header field may also comprise the MCPTT feature tagwhich may indicate that MCPTT service may be required for the MCPTTgroup call; IMS may validate the service profile of the MCPTT UE 1 andevaluates the filter criteria. It may thereafter forward the invitetowards MCPTT AS; MCPTT AS may accept the MCPTT group call and mayinvite MCPTT UE 2 and MCPTT UE 3 by sending an SIP INVITE request whichmay comprise MCPTT feature tag in Contact header field. TheAccept-Contact header field may also contain the MCPTT feature tag whichmay indicate that MCPTT service may be required for the MCPTT groupcall; HSS may be queried to locate MCPTT UE 2 and MCPTT UE 3 and IMS mayvalidate their service profile and may evaluate the filter criteria;MCPTT UE 2 and MCPTT UE 3 may accept the invitation for the MCPTT groupcall; and IMS may notify the MCPTT UEs that other MCPTT UEs have nowjoined the on-network MCPTT group call.

Existing MCPTT calls may include audio. The existing MCPTT does notsupport various enhanced call capabilities. There is a need to enhanceMCPTT signaling to support advanced call capabilities. In an exampleembodiment, enhanced MCPTT calls may include capabilities such as audio,video and/or data. To avoid or reduce any possible compatibility issues,new service or application identifiers may be implemented for theadditional capabilities. An example embodiment, enhances ICSI toindicate different capabilities for MCPTT e.g. audio, video, and/or datacapabilities. One or more IMS service parameters be communicated duringthe new dialog establishment procedure and/standalone transactionprocess to indicate at least one MCPTT capability to a network server,e.g. a proxy server, a registrar server.

The wireless device may employ one or more IMS communication serviceidentifiers (ICSIs) of push-to-talk (e.g. mission critical PTT) for newdialogs establishment or standalone transactions in a wireless network.one of the one or more ICSIs may indicate at least one of audio, video,data, full duplex, dispatching, and administering capabilities of thewireless device. ICSI may be in the form of a media feature tag. Afeature tag may indicate one or more capability of the wireless device.For, example a specific feature tag, such as3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttvideo may indicate video capability. This isan example, other features tag names may be used. One or more ICSI mayindicate a combination of at least two of audio, video, data, fullduplex, dispatching, and administering capabilities of the wirelessdevice. For example, a feature tag 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttmedia, mayindicate capability for both audio and video.

In another example, one or more additional parameters may be included inthe new dialog establishment or a standalone transaction along with afeature tag to indicate the wireless device capability or a combinationof one or more capabilities of the wireless device.

In an implementation, the wireless device may transmit the message toestablish a new dialog or as a standalone transaction to a UE relaywhich relays to message to a network node. The wireless device maydiscover the UE relay using discovery model A or model B. In an example,the UE relay may decode the message for new dialog establishment or forthe standalone transition and may update the message headers beforeretransmitting the message. The UE relay may update the source anddestination address in the registration message.

In an example, the message for the new dialog and the standalonetransaction may further employ one or more IMS application referenceidentifiers (IARIs). One of the one or more IARIs may indicate at leastone of audio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and administeringcapabilities of the wireless device. IARI may be in the form of a mediafeature tag. A feature tag may indicate one or more capability of thewireless device. For, example a specific feature tag, such as3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttvideo may indicate video capability. Thisis an example, other features tag names may be used. One or more IARImay indicate a combination of at least two of audio, video, and datacapabilities of the wireless device. For example, a feature tag3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttmedia, may indicate capability for bothaudio and video.

In an example embodiment, the wireless device may employ one or more IMSapplication reference identifiers (IARIs) of push-to-talk in a wirelessnetwork for establishment of a new dialog or for standalone message. Oneof the one or more IARIs indicates at least one of audio, video, data,full duplex, dispatching, and administering capabilities of the wirelessdevice. In an example, the one or more IARIs may indicate a combinationof at least two of audio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, andadministering capabilities of the wireless device. The wireless devicemay further employing one or more IMS communication service identifiers(ICSIs) for establishing new dialog or standalone message. One of theone or more ICSIs indicates at least one of audio, video, data, fullduplex, dispatching, and administering capabilities of the wirelessdevice.

In an example, the wireless device may employ one or more IMS serviceparameters of push-to-talk in a wireless network for establishing a newdialog or a standalone message. The one or more IMS service parametersmay indicate a combination of at least two of audio, video, data, fullduplex, dispatching, and administering capabilities of the wirelessdevice. The one or more IMS service parameters indicate at least one ofaudio, video, data, full duplex, dispatching, and administeringcapabilities of the wireless device.

In an example, the embodiments may include enhanced service identifiersrepresenting new services such as 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttaudio;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttvideo; 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdata;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdispatcher; and3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttadminiter.

In an example, the embodiments may include enhanced applicationidentifiers that represent applications for the MCPTT service3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcptt; 3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttaudio;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttvideo;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdata;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdispatcher andgpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttadminister.

Release 13 of MCPTT supports audio with service identifier3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcptt. In an example embodiment, in order tomaintain interoperability with release 13, release 14 may create threeenhanced service identifiers for MCPTT, MCPTT video, and MCPTT data,such as 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdefault;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttvideo; 3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdata;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdispatcher; and3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttadminister.

In an example, two enhanced application identifier for MCPTT video andMCPTT data and a service identifier for default MCPTT may be employed3gpp-service.ims.icsi.mcpttdefault;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttvideo;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdata;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttfullduplex;3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttdatadispatcher; and3gpp-application.ims.iari.mcpttadminister.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an example MCPTT call setup by MCPTT UE Aas per an aspect of an embodiment. MCPTT UE 1 may initiate an MCPTT callwith other MCPTT UEs by sending an SIP INVITE request which may compriseMCPTT related ICSI and IARI in the Contact header field. TheAccept-Contact header field may also comprise the MCPTT related ICSI andIARI which may indicate that the MCPTT service or the MCPTT applicationwhich may be required for the MCPTT call; IMS may validate the serviceprofile of the MCPTT UE 1 and may locate the suitable S-CSCF to processthe MCPTT call invitation; S-CSCF may forward the invitation to theMCPTT AS which may generate separate invitations towards other MCPTT UEswho were originally invited by MCPTT UE 1; the invited MCPTT UEs mayanalyze the capabilities of MCPTT UE 1 who invited them to the MCPTTcall and may make decision to join the MCPTT call based on the requestedcapabilities by MCPTT UE 1; and IMS may notify MCPTT UEs that otherMCPTT UEs have joined the MCPTT group call and the on-network MCPTTgroup call is now established.

In other case an MCPTT UE may need to identify its capabilities for newdialogs or a standalone transaction. For instance an MCPTT UE may liketo inform the end MCPTT UE that it is capable of voice session whileusing packet switch; an MCPTT UE may like to share information that itis capable of audio emergency call and not video emergency call; MCPTTUE A may like to setup a video capable MCPTT group call with MCPTT UE B,MCPTT UE C, and MCPTT UE D. MCPTT UE A sends a SIP INVITE requestmessage to MCPTT Application Server (AS) indicating the videocapabilities for this MCPTT group call; and MCPTT UE A is a legacy MCPTTUE which does not support video or data. MCPTT UE B with videocapabilities realizes that MCPT UE A is a legacy MCPTT UE at the time ofsession setup. Thus there will not be any backward incompatibilityissue.

An MCPTT UE (in IMS) may transmit (e.g. share) its capabilities with thenetwork and the end MCPTT UE by adding service feature tags andapplication feature tags to the SIP requests.

LTE release 13 of the mission critical service is assigned to the voicecommunication and it is called mission critical push to talk (MCPTT).MCPTT may enable the group members of the critical services such as firedepartment, police department, and/or emergency medical service setupone to one or one to many voice communications. In release 13, the MCPTTmay be based on on-network and/or off-network. The on-network MCPTT mayuse IMS platform in combination with LTE infra structure for the missioncritical voice service (MCPTT), while off-network MCPTT is based ondirect communication among the group members. The MCPTT may employ floorcontrol which may enable the group members uninterruptedly talk unlessthey may be interrupted by another member or a dialog with higherhierarchy/priority.

Release 14 of mission critical services are expanded to cover newservices than voice communication service. These new services formission critical communications may be based on video and datacommunications. For the video and data communication the floor controlmay not have the same concept as for the voice services. Exampleembodiments provides enhanced mechanism floor control and audio/mediatransmission mechanisms for audio, video and data services for missioncritical services.

Example embodiments may be applicable to other services in addition tomission critical services. For example, example embodiments may beimplemented in a video conference call service, video call service, andnon-emergency audio and/or video calls (such as a conference call).

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an example architecture of an on-networkMCPTT service as per an aspect of an embodiment. In this examplearchitecture for the on-network MCPTT service, elements and interfacesmay be defined and specified as discussed in, for example, release 13 of3GPP TS 23.179. On-network MCPTT may involve group members in one-to-oneor one-to-many voice communications. When the floor control isimplemented, the MCPTT group call members may receive voice media fromone MCPTT sender, thus a media mixer may not be needed. Thefunctionality of media mixer may be used when the MCPTT participantlistening to several MCPTT group calls or when there is not any floorcontrol within the same group call.

In an example embodiment, the architecture of the MCVideo is shown inFIG. 21. MCVideo UE registers to IMS to get access to MCVideo service.The architecture may also provide the choice for broadcast toward theMCVideo UEs. The MB2 reference point may provide ability for MCVideo ASto request allocation of temporary mobile group identifiers (TMGIs) frombroadcast multicast service center (BM-SC). The MB2 reference point mayprovide ability for MCVideo AS to request deallocation of TMGIs fromBM-SC. The MB2 reference point may provide the ability for BM-SC toreport the status of multicast broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearerto MCVideo AS. The MCVideo-1 reference point may provide ability forMCVideo AS to send the information about connectivity to the broadcastbearer to the MCVideo UE. The MCVideo-1 reference point may provide theability for MCVideo UE to send information about broadcast multicastcoverage to the MCVideo AS.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example architecture for an on-networkMCVideo service as per an aspect of an embodiment. In this embodimentarchitecture for the on-network MCVideo service, an MCVideo-1 referencepoint may exist between MCVideo server and the MCVideo client and mayemploy a SIP interface and/or an HTTP interface. This reference pointmay be used for MCVideo application signaling for establishing anMCVideo session. This reference point may also be used for UE to provideits location to the MCVideo server for the multicast/broadcast services.MCVideo-2 reference point may exist between MCVideo server and MCVideouser database and may be Sh reference point in 3GPP TS 23.002 and may beused to get specific user data for a MCVideo user. CVideo-3 referencepoint may exist between the MCVideo server and other MCVideo server.MCVideo-4 reference point may exist between floor control server and thefloor participant may be used for unicast floor control signaling.MCVideo-5 reference point may exist between media distribution functionand EPS to obtain unicast media bearers with appropriate QoS from theEPS. If MCVideo uses internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), thisfunctionality of media distribution function may exist in proxy-callsession control function (P-CSCF). MCVideo-6 reference point may existbetween MCVideo server and the EPS and may be used to request theallocation and activation of multicast transport resources for MCVideo.MCVideo-7 reference point may exist between media distribution functionand media mixer and may be used to exchange unicast media. MCVideo-8reference point may exist between the media distribution function andthe media mixer and may be used for multicast media distribution fromthe MCVideo server to the MCVideo UE. MCVideo-9 reference point mayexist between floor control server to floor participant and may providefloor control signaling over a multicast bearer. Other reference pointsmay be similar to the ones defined for the MCPTT service the release 13of 3GPP TS 23.179. Floor control server and the floor participant areshown by the dashed line in FIG. 22 since their functionalities may bedifferent from the ones in MCPTT.

In FIG. 23 example embodiment while the default EPS bearer with QoSclass identifier (QCI) level 69 since it is for mission critical servicesignaling is established. The MCVideo UE may send session setup to theAF to setup the mission critical audio/video. The AF may initiate theIP-CAN session initiation procedure. The AF may use a new dedicatedMCVideo attribute value pairs (AVP) indicator in the diameter AA-requesttransmitted by the MCVideo AF towards the PCRF. The PCRF may receive theMCVideo AVP and may attempt to trigger the IP-CAN to enable assignedresources for initiation of the MCVideo session. The PCRF may send aDIAMETER: setup bearer request comprising a PCC decision provision (QoSpolicy) which may request the MCVideo user's location information andMCVideo UE time zone toward the PDN-GW. The PDN-GW may use the policy toadjust the EPS bearer QoS and may use to generate the traffic flowtemplate (TFT). The PDN-GW may create GTP: create bearer request messagecomprising procedure transaction identifier (PTI) for GTP: create bearerrequest, EPS bearer identity, EPS bearer QoS, APN-AMBR, and TFT. ThePDN-GW may send the GTP: create bearer request toward the S-GW. The S-GWmay send GTP: create bearer request message comprising PTI, EPS beareridentity, EPS bearer QoS, TFT, and APN-AMBR towards the MME. The MME maycreate S1-AP: EPS bearer setup context request message for the EPSbearer of the mission critical video comprising EPS bearer identity, EPSbearer QoS, UE-AMBR, and session management request message which iscomprising PTI, EPS bearer QoS, TFT, APN-AMBR, and EPS bearer Identity.The MME may send the S1-AP: EPS bearer setup context request messagetowards the eNodeB. The eNodeB may map the EPS bearer setup request formission video to the radio bearer setup. The eNodeB may send radiobearer QoS, session management request message, and EPD radio bearertowards the MCVideo UE. The MCVideo UE may store QoS for the missioncritical video, radio priority, packet flow ID from the sessionmanagement request message and APN-AMBR. The MCVideo UE may provide theEPS bearer QoS for mission critical video to the MCVideo application.The MVVideo UE may acknowledge the reception of the bearer setup requesttowards the MME via eNodeB. The MCVideo UE creates NAS: uplink NAStransport comprising session management response which is comprising EPSbearer identity and send it toward the MME via eNodeB. The MME may sendGTP: session management response message comprising EPS bearer ID andthe MCVideo user location towards the PDN-GW. The PDN-GW may send aprovision acknowledge message towards PCRF to indicate that the new QoSfor the mission critical video could have been enforced and it mayinform the PCRF about user location information and the MCVideo UE timezone. The PCRF will inform the AF about the finalization of the IP-CANsession modification.

The application function (AF) of the MCVideo is triggered by e.g. anMCVideo user to downgrade the priority for the dedicated EPS bearer forthe mission critical video and/or deactivate the dedicated EPS bearerfor mission critical audio due to e.g. release of floor control and/orthe MCVideo user stops talking which MCVideo AF may realize by as adecrease of the audio packets. Upon the MCVideo AF approval, QoSparameters of the dedicated EPS bearer for the mission critical videomay be relaxed (requiring a less strict QoS requirement) with a new orexisting QCI level for non-GBR resource type. This may result in thatthe recipients of the MCVideo call may receive lower quality of thevideo images of the MCVideo UE which just released floor control orstopped sending audio/video packets, to maintain a visual contact in aform of thumbnail size video of the visual media sent by that MCVideoUE. This may result in increasing available network resources in termsof EPS bearer resources for other uses. If the MCVideo user obtain thefloor control or starts sending the audio packets, this may indicate tothe MCVideo AF to improve QoS of the dedicated EPS bearer for themission critical video. A similar procedure may be implemented toenhance the QoS so that other recipients in the MCVideo call may receivebetter quality of the visual media sent by the MCVideo UE taking thefloor.

The EPS bearer resource reassignment may be triggered by the applicationclient in the MCVideo UE when the floor control is released and/or whenthe user stop talking and/or sending audio and/or video. This may alsobe triggered by the MCVideo UE by sending ESM message bearer resourcemodification request toward the network to trigger ESM message modifyEPS bearer context request by the network toward the MCVideo UE. Thismay result in that the recipients of the MCVideo call may receive lowerquality of the video images of the MCVideo UE which just released floorcontrol or stopped sending audio and/or video packets, to maintain avisual contact, e.g. in form of thumbnail size video of the visualmedia, sent by that MCVideo UE. This may result in increasing availablenetwork resources in terms of EPS bearer resources. If the MCVideo userobtain the floor control and/or when the MCVideo user starts talking,this may be interpreted by the application client of the MCVideo thatthe UE as a request for improvement of the dedicated EPS bearer for themission critical video. A similar procedure may be implemented toenhance the QoS. Other recipients in the MCVideo call may receive betterquality of the visual media sent by that MCVideo UE.

Example embodiments may be applicable to other services in addition tomission critical services. For example, example embodiments may beimplemented in a video conference call service, video call service, andnon-emergency audio and/or video calls (such as a conference call). Inan example, other services may be implemented. For example, the aboveprocess may be implemented for a Video call, video call AF, and/or videocall UE.

In one example embodiment, shown in FIG. 24, there may be two dedicatedbearers for mission critical video and mission critical audio of theuser plan of the MCVideo application. There may be a default bearer forsignaling of the MCVideo application. The AF may be triggered by e.g.the MCVideo user to downgrade or upgrade the priority for the dedicatedEPS bearer for the mission critical video due to e.g. release orobtaining of floor control and/or stop or start sending audio packets.The floor control signaling may be assumed to use the dedicated EPSbearer for mission critical voice. The MCVideo user may modify the floorcontrol by releasing or obtaining the floor control or the MCVideo usermay stop or start sending audio packets. This may downgrade or upgradethe priority of the dedicated EPS bearer for the mission critical videoof the MCVideo application. That may trigger as an indication to the AFwhich may reside in the P-CSCF considering MCVideo is an IMSapplication, for EPS bearer modification request. The AF may initiatethe IP-CAN session modification procedure by conveying information forthe floor control modification to the PCRF. The AF may use a newdedicated MCVideo attribute value pairs (AVP) together with a prioritymodification AVP in the diameter AA-request transmitted by the MCVideoAF towards the PCRF. The PCRF may receive the MCVideo AVP together withthe priority modification AVP and may attempt to modify the IP-CAN toenable that MCVideo service receives the assigned priorities affected bythe modification of the floor control. The AF and PCRF may implement asignaling using a new AVP to implement the communication between the AFand the PCRF regarding the assigned priorities of MCVideo service. Thesignaling may list a number of priority levels triggered by the floorcontrol and/or by other means e.g. the MCVideo user may modify thepriorities due to other needs than floor control change, such as upgradeto an emergency MCVideo call or downgrade to a regular MCVideo call. TheMCVideo UE and the PCRF may use those levels to ensure the IP-CAN isaccordingly assigned to that MCVideo service. Therefore, an authorizedResource-Priority header field comprising an appropriate namespace andpriority value in a SIP message if MCVideo service is an IMS service. Inone example embodiment, the AF and AF functionalities may exist in aP-CSCF while in another example embodiment, the AF and AFfunctionalities may exist in an MCVideo application server (AS). ThePCRF may send a DIAMETER: update bearer request comprising a PCCdecision provision (QoS policy) which may request the MCVideo user'slocation information and MCVideo UE time zone toward the PDN-GW. ThePDN-GW may use the policy to adjust the EPS bearer QoS and may use togenerate the traffic flow template (TFT). The PDN-GW may create GTP:update bearer request message comprising procedure transactionidentifier (PTI) for GTP: update bearer request, EPS bearer identity,EPS bearer QoS, APN-AMBR, and TFT. The PDN-GW may send the GTP: updatebearer request toward the S-GW. The S-GW may send GTP: update bearerrequest message comprising PTI, EPS bearer identity, EPS bearer QoS,TFT, and APN-AMBR towards the MME. If the APN-AMBR has changed, the MMEmay update the UE-AMBR is appropriate. The MME may create S1-AP: modifyEPS bearer context request message for the EPS bearer of the missioncritical video comprising EPS bearer identity, EPS bearer QoS, UE-AMBR,and session management request message which is comprising PTI, EPSbearer QoS, TFT, APN-AMBR, and EPS bearer Identity. The MME may send theS1-AP: modify EPS bearer context request message towards the eNodeB. TheeNodeB may map the modified EPS bearer QoS for mission video to theradio bearer QoS. The eNodeB may send radio bearer QoS, sessionmanagement request message, and EPD radio bearer towards the MCVideo UE.The MCVideo UE may store new QoS for the mission critical video, radiopriority, packet flow ID from the session management request message andmodified APN-AMBR. The MCVideo UE may provide the new EPS bearer QoS formission critical video to the MCVideo application. The MVVideo UE mayacknowledge the reception of the bearer modification request towards theMME via eNodeB. The MCVideo UE creates NAS: uplink NAS transportcomprising session management response which is comprising EPS beareridentity and send it toward the MME via eNodeB. The MME may send GTP:session management response message comprising EPS bearer ID and theMCVideo user location towards the PDN-GW. The PDN-GW may send aprovision acknowledge message towards PCRF to indicate that the new QoSfor the mission critical video could have been enforced and it mayinform the PCRF about user location information and the MCVideo UE timezone. The PCRF will inform the AF about the finalization of the IP-CANsession modification.

The flow diagram in the example embodiment in FIG. 25, shows at the timeof the releasing and/or obtaining the floor control and/or at the timewhen starting or stopping sending audio packets, the MCVideo UE modifiesthe priority of the dedicated EPS bearer corresponding from QCI XY toQCI AB for the mission critical video by requesting the network tomodify the EPS bearer context. The new QCI may have non GBR or GBR,however, the new EPS bearer offers either lower bitrate, higher errorloss rate, and higher delay budget for the uplink to release EPSresources if the floor control is released or MCVideo UE stopped sendingaudio packets, or higher bitrate, lower error loss rate, and lower delaybudget for uplink to gain EPS resources if the floor control is obtainedor the MCVideo UE started sending audio packets. The MCVideo UE may senda NAS: bearer resource modification request message comprising linkedbearer identity (LBI), PTI, EPS bearer ID, QoS with QCI AB, and trafficaggregate description (TAD) towards the MME. The TAD is comprising theexisting packet filter and bitrate requirement for EPS bearer to modifythe bitrate. The MME may send GTP: bearer resource command messagecomprising IMSI, LBI, PTI, EPS bearer ID, new QoS, and TAD towards theS-GW. The S-GW may send GTP: bearer request command message comprisingIMSI, LBI, PTI, EPS bearer ID, new QoS, and TAD towards the same PDN-GWas identified by the LBI. The PDN-GW may interact with the PCRF totrigger appropriate PCC decision with the MCVideo user's subscriptioninformation. In order to make this decision, the PDN-GW may provide thePCRF the content of TAD regarding the filter packet and the modified GBRrequirement for the EPS bearer. The PCRF may request for the MCVideouser's location information and the MCVideo UE time zone. The PDN-GW maysend the GTP: update bearer request toward the S-GW. The S-GW may sendGTP: update bearer request message comprising PTI, EPS bearer identity,EPS bearer QoS, TFT, and APN-AMBR towards the MME. If the APN-AMBR haschanged the MME may update the UE-AMBR is appropriate. The MME maycreate S1-AP: modify EPS bearer context message comprising EPS beareridentity, EPS bearer QoS, UE-AMBR, and session management requestmessage which is comprising PTI, EPS bearer QoS, TFT, APN-AMBR, and EPSbearer Identity. The MME may send the S1-AP: modify EPS bearer contextrequest message towards the eNodeB. The eNodeB may map the modified EPSbearer QoS to the radio bearer QoS and it may send radio bearer QoS,session management request message, and EPD radio bearer towards theMCVideo UE. The MCVideo UE may store the new QoS, radio priority, packetflow ID from the session management request message and modifiedAPN-AMBR. The UE may provide the new EPS bearer QoS to the MCVideoapplication. The MCVideo UE may acknowledge the reception of the bearermodification message towards the MME via eNodeB. The MCVideo UE createNAS: uplink NAS transport comprising session management response whichis comprising EPS bearer identity and may send it toward the MME viaeNodeB. The MME may send GTP: session management response messagecomprising EPS bearer ID and the MCVideo user location towards thePDN-GW. The PDN-GW may send a provision acknowledge message towards PCRFto indicate that the new modified QoS could have been enforced and itmay inform the PCRF about user location information and the MCVideo UEtime zone.

Example embodiments may be applicable to other services in addition tomission critical services. For example, example embodiments may beimplemented in a video conference call service, video call service, andnon-emergency audio and/or video calls (such as a conference call). Inan example, other services may be implemented. For example, the aboveprocess may be implemented for a Video call, video call AF, and/or videocall UE.

According to various embodiments, a device such as, for example, awireless device, a base station, a network entity, and/or the like, maycomprise one or more processors and memory. The memory may storeinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe device to perform a series of actions. Embodiments of exampleactions are illustrated in the accompanying figures and specification.Features from various embodiments may be combined to create yet furtherembodiments.

FIG. 26 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. At 2610, a floor control for a video applicationoperating on a wireless device employing a video bearer may be modifiedby a video application function (AF). According to an embodiment, atleast: the video AF may comprise a mission critical video AF, the videobearer may comprise a mission critical video bearer, and the videoapplication may comprise a mission critical video application. Accordingto an embodiment, the mission critical Video AF may recite at least inone of: a mission critical Video application server (AS); and a proxycall session control function (P-CSCF). According to an embodiment, thevideo bearer may comprise a dedicated evolved packet system (EPS)bearer. According to an embodiment, the modifying the floor control maybe performed by the wireless device in response to releasing andobtaining a floor.

At 2620, a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) may receive fromthe video AF, a first request, in response to the modifying the floorcontrol. The first request may comprise one or more quality of service(QoS) parameters indicating a QoS of the video bearer. According to anembodiment, the one or more QoS parameters may indicate a priority.According to an embodiment, the first request may comprise a DIAMETERAA-request (AAR) command. According to an embodiment, the first requestmay comprise an attribute value pairs (AVP) identifying the videoapplication. According to an embodiment, a session initiation protocol(SIP) Resource-Priority header field may trigger the first request.According to an embodiment, a SIP Resource-Priority header field mayindicate an emergency priority.

At 2630, the PCRF may decide one or more policy and charging control(PCC) provisions for the QoS provided for the video application. At2640, the PCRF may transmit to a policy charging enforcement function(PCEF), a second request comprising the one or more PCC provisions forthe QoS. According to an embodiment, the second request may comprise aDIAMETER command. At 2650, the PCEF may enforce the one or more PCCprovisions for the QoS on a popularity of packet transmitted via thevideo bearer to the wireless device.

FIG. 27 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. At 2710, a floor control for a video applicationoperating on a wireless device employing a video bearer may be modifiedby a video application function (AF). According to an embodiment, atleast: the video AF may comprise a mission critical video AF, the videobearer may comprise a mission critical video bearer, and the videoapplication may comprise a mission critical video application. Accordingto an embodiment, the mission critical Video AF may recite at least inone of: a mission critical Video application server (AS); and a proxycall session control function (P-CSCF). According to an embodiment, thevideo bearer may comprise a dedicated evolved packet system (EPS)bearer. According to an embodiment, the modifying the floor control maybe performed by the wireless device in response to releasing andobtaining a floor.

At 2720, the video AF may transmit, to a policy and charging rulesfunction (PCRF), a first request in response to the modifying the floorcontrol. The first request may comprise one or more quality of service(QoS) parameters indicating a QoS of the video bearer. According to anembodiment, the one or more QoS parameters may indicate a priority.According to an embodiment, the first request may comprise a DIAMETERAA-request (AAR) command. According to an embodiment, the first requestmay comprise an attribute value pairs (AVP) identifying the videoapplication. According to an embodiment, a session initiation protocol(SIP) Resource-Priority header field may trigger the first request.According to an embodiment, a SIP Resource-Priority header field mayindicate an emergency priority.

At 2730, the PCRF may decide one or more policy and charging control(PCC) provisions for the QoS provided for the video application. At2740, the PCRF may transmit, to a policy charging enforcement function(PCEF), a second request comprising the one or more PCC provisions forthe QoS. According to an embodiment, the second request may comprise aDIAMETER command. At 2750, the PCEF may enforce the one or more PCCprovisions for the QoS on a popularity of packet transmitted via thevideo bearer to the wireless device.

FIG. 28 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. At 2810, a wireless device may transmit to anetwork server, a media employing an EPS bearer corresponding to one ormore QoS parameters. The wireless device may have a floor state relatedto the media. At 2820, the one or more QoS parameters of the media maybe modified in response to a change of the floor state of the wirelessdevice. According to an embodiment, the one or more QoS parameters maycorrespond to a QCI. According to an embodiment, the media maycorrespond to an MCVideo. According to an embodiment, the modificationof the one or more QoS parameters may improve a QoS of the EPS bearerwhen the change of the floor state comprises obtaining a floor controlrelated to the media. According to an embodiment, the modification ofthe one or more QoS parameters may reduce a QoS of the EPS bearer whenthe change of the floor state comprises releasing a floor controlrelated to the media.

FIG. 29 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. At 2910, a wireless device may transmit to anetwork server, a media employing an EPS bearer corresponding to one ormore QoS parameters. The wireless device may comprise an audio staterelated to the media. At 2920, the one or more QoS parameters of themedia may be modified in response to a change of the audio state of thewireless device. According to an embodiment, the one or more QoSparameters may correspond to a QCI. According to an embodiment, themedia may correspond to an MCVideo. According to an embodiment, themodification of the one or more QoS parameters may improve a QoS of theEPS bearer when the change of the audio state comprises generating audiopackets related to the media. According to an embodiment, themodification of the one or more QoS parameters may reduce a QoS of theEPS bearer when the change of the audio state comprisesstopping/discontinuing generation of audio packets related to the media.

According to an embodiment, a first wireless device may transmit andreceive, from a second wireless device, a media by employing an EPSbearer context. The EPS bearer context may comprise a standardized QoSclass identifier (QCI) characteristics. The standardized QCIcharacteristics may comprise, for example, a priority level less than 1,a packet delay budget in the range of 50 milli-second to 100milli-second, and/or a packet error loss rate in the range 10{circumflexover ( )}(−4) to 10{circumflex over ( )}(−3). The standardized QCIcharacteristics may be employed for the EPS bearer context for missioncritical video (MCVideo) communication.

FIG. 30 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. At 3010, an MCVideo application function (AF)may receive from a wireless device, a request message for a change of afloor control of an MCVideo call. At 3020, the MCVideo AF may transmitto a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) in response to therequest message, a DIAMETER AA-request (AAR) command. The DIAMETER AARcommand may comprise: a modification bearer message, and an applicationidentifier attribute-value pairs (AVP) corresponding to the MCVideocall. At 3030, the PCRF may transmit, to a policy and chargingenforcement function (PCEF), an implementation message to implement anupdated QoS for the MCVideo call. The updated QoS may comprise a QoSdata bearer modification information. The updated QoS may depend on thechange of the floor control. According to an embodiment, theimplementation message may be configured by the PCRF employing, at leastin part, subscription data associated with the wireless device.According to an embodiment, the updated QoS may depend on an updated QCIcharacteristics.

According to an embodiment, a wireless device may transmit, to anMCVideo application function (AF), a request message for change of afloor control of an MCVideo call. A a policy and charging rules function(PCRF) may receive, from the MCVideo AF, a DIAMETER AA-request (AAR)command. The DIAMETER AAR command may comprise: a modification bearermessage, and an application identifier attribute-value pairs (AVP)corresponding to the MCVideo call. The PCRF may transmit, to a policyand charging enforcement function (PCEF), an implementation message toimplement an updated QoS for the MCVideo call. The updated QoS maycomprise a QoS data bearer modification information. The updated QoS maydepend on the change of the floor control.

In this specification, “a” and “an” and similar phrases are to beinterpreted as “at least one” and “one or more.” In this specification,the term “may” is to be interpreted as “may, for example.” In otherwords, the term “may” is indicative that the phrase following the term“may” is an example of one of a multitude of suitable possibilities thatmay, or may not, be employed to one or more of the various embodiments.If A and B are sets and every element of A is also an element of B, A iscalled a subset of B. In this specification, only non-empty sets andsubsets are considered. For example, possible subsets of B={cell1,cell2} are: {cell1}, {cell2}, and {cell1, cell2}.

In this specification, various embodiments are disclosed. Limitations,features, and/or elements from the disclosed example embodiments may becombined to create further embodiments within the scope of thedisclosure.

In this specification, various embodiments are disclosed. Limitations,features, and/or elements from the disclosed example embodiments may becombined to create further embodiments within the scope of thedisclosure.

In this specification, parameters (Information elements: IEs) maycomprise one or more objects, and each of those objects may comprise oneor more other objects. For example, if parameter (IE) N comprisesparameter (IE) M, and parameter (IE) M comprises parameter (IE) K, andparameter (IE) K comprises parameter (information element) J, then, forexample, N comprises K, and N comprises J. In an example embodiment,when one or more messages comprise a plurality of parameters, it impliesthat a parameter in the plurality of parameters is in at least one ofthe one or more messages, but does not have to be in each of the one ormore messages.

Many of the elements described in the disclosed embodiments may beimplemented as modules. A module is defined here as an isolatableelement that performs a defined function and has a defined interface toother elements. The modules described in this disclosure may beimplemented in hardware, software in combination with hardware,firmware, wetware (i.e. hardware with a biological element) or acombination thereof, all of which are behaviorally equivalent. Forexample, modules may be implemented as a software routine written in acomputer language configured to be executed by a hardware machine (suchas C, C++, Fortran, Java, Basic, Matlab or the like) or amodeling/simulation program such as Simulink, Stateflow, GNU Octave, orLabVIEWMathScript. Additionally, it may be possible to implement modulesusing physical hardware that incorporates discrete or programmableanalog, digital and/or quantum hardware. Examples of programmablehardware comprise: computers, microcontrollers, microprocessors,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs); field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs); and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs).Computers, microcontrollers and microprocessors are programmed usinglanguages such as assembly, C, C++ or the like. FPGAs, ASICs and CPLDsare often programmed using hardware description languages (HDL) such asVHSIC hardware description language (VHDL) or Verilog that configureconnections between internal hardware modules with lesser functionalityon a programmable device. Finally, it needs to be emphasized that theabove mentioned technologies are often used in combination to achievethe result of a functional module.

The disclosure of this patent document incorporates material which issubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, for the limited purposes required by law, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example, and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading theabove description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. Thus, the presentembodiments should not be limited by any of the above describedexemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that, forexample purposes, the above explanation has focused on mission criticalservices such as mission critical push-to-talk services employing mediatypes such as audio services, video services and media services.However, one skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of theinvention may also be implemented in a system comprising other types ofservices such as, for example, data services, augmented realityservices, data fusion services, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlightthe functionality and advantages, are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed architecture is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be utilized in ways other than thatshown. For example, the actions listed in any flowchart may bere-ordered or only optionally used in some embodiments.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosureis not intended to be limiting as to the scope in any way.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for”or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a policycontrol function from a mission critical video (MCVideo) applicationfunction, a DIAMETER AA-Request (AAR) command comprising: an attributevalue pair (AVP) comprising an MCVideo-identifier identifying an MCVideoservice; and a quality of service (QoS) parameter indicating a QoS ofthe MCVideo service; and sending, by the policy control function to anetwork function, a Diameter command comprising one or more QoS policiesbased on the MCVideo-identifier and the QoS parameter.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the DIAMETER AA-Request (AAR) command furthercomprises a priority of the MCVideo service; and the one or more QoSpolicies are further based on the priority of the MCVideo service. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising enforcing, by the policycontrol function, the one or more QoS policies on a plurality of packetstransmitted via an MCVideo bearer.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising establishing, for an MCVideo application, an MCVideo bearerfor a mission critical video call among a plurality of wireless devicescomprising: a first wireless device; and a second wireless device. 5.The method of claim 4, further comprising modifying, by the MCVideoapplication function, a floor of a floor control from the first wirelessdevice to the second wireless device for the mission critical videocall.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the modifying the floor controlis performed by the first wireless device in response to releasing thefloor.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the QoS parameterindicate a priority.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a sessioninitiation protocol (SIP) Resource-Priority header field triggers theDIAMETER AAR command.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the SIPResource-Priority header field indicates an emergency priority.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the MCVideo application function resides inat least one of: a MCVideo application server; and a proxy call sessioncontrol function.
 11. A policy control function device comprising: oneor more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed,cause the policy control function device to: receive, from a missioncritical video (MCVideo) application function, a DIAMETER AA-Request(AAR) command comprising: an attribute value pair (AVP) comprising anMCVideo-identifier identifying an MCVideo service; and a quality ofservice (QoS) parameter indicating a QoS of the MCVideo service; andsend, to a network function, a Diameter command comprising one or moreQoS policies based on the MCVideo-identifier and the QoS parameter. 12.The policy control function device of claim 11, wherein: the DIAMETERAA-Request (AAR) command further comprises a priority of the MCVideoservice; and the one or more QoS policies are further based on thepriority of the MCVideo service.
 13. The policy control function deviceof claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, further cause the policy control function device to enforcethe one or more QoS policies on a plurality of packets transmitted viaan MCVideo bearer.
 14. The policy control function device of claim 11,wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors,further cause the policy control function device to establish, for anMCVideo application, an MCVideo bearer for a mission critical video callamong a plurality of wireless devices comprising: a first wirelessdevice; and a second wireless device.
 15. The policy control functiondevice of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the oneor more processors, further cause the policy control function device tomodify, by the MCVideo application function, a floor of a floor controlfrom the first wireless device to the second wireless device for themission critical video call.
 16. The policy control function device ofclaim 15, wherein the modification of the floor control is performed bythe first wireless device in response to releasing the floor.
 17. Thepolicy control function device according to claim 11, wherein the QoSparameter indicate a priority.
 18. The policy control function device ofclaim 11, wherein a session initiation protocol (SIP) Resource-Priorityheader field triggers the DIAMETER AAR command.
 19. The policy controlfunction device of claim 18, wherein the SIP Resource-Priority headerfield indicates an emergency priority.
 20. A system comprising: amission critical video (MCVideo) application function device; and apolicy control function device comprising: one or more processors; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the policycontrol function device to: receive, from the MCVideo applicationfunction device, a DIAMETER AA-Request (AAR) command comprising:  anattribute value pair (AVP) comprising an MCVideo-identifier identifyingan MCVideo service; and  a quality of service (QoS) parameter indicatinga QoS of the MCVideo service; and send, to a network function, aDiameter command comprising one or more QoS policies based on theMCVideo-identifier and the QoS parameter.